2D visualization for rib analysis
View Patent ↗An exemplary method of visualization is provided. A centerline is computed for each of a plurality of ribs in a three-dimensional (3D) image. The each of the plurality of ribs is straightened based on the centerline computation. A two-dimensional (2D) image is generated based on the straightened ribs.
1. A method of visualization, comprising:
receiving three-dimensional (3D) medical image data including a plurality of ribs;
segmenting a solid image volume for each of the plurality of ribs within the medical image data;
determining a centerline for each of the segmented solid rib volumes;
straightening each of the segmented solid rib volumes based on the respective centerlines; and
generating a two-dimensional (2D) image based on the straightened segmented solid rib volumes; and
displaying the generated 2D image based on the straightened segmented solid rib volumes to a user;
receiving an input from the user indicating a selection of a region of interest within the displayed 2D image; and
displaying a portion of the un-straightened solid image volume corresponding to the selected region of interest from the displayed 2D image.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of segmenting the solid image volume for each of the plurality of ribs within the medical image data, comprises:
obtaining a seed point for the each of the plurality of ribs;
tracing from the seed point in each direction of the each of the plurality of ribs; determining rib edge points of the each of the plurality of ribs; and
extracting a local contour of the each of the plurality of ribs based on the steps of tracing and data from the previous step.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
ordering and labeling the extracted contours according based on relative spatial relationships and length ratios of the extracted contours.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 3D medical image data comprises a computed tomography (CT) image of a chest.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating a 2D image based on the straightened ribs, comprises:
performing a projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of performing a projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image, comprises:
performing a maximum intensity projection (MIP) on the straightened ribs to generate the 2D image.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of performing a projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image, comprises:
performing an average intensity projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating a 2D image based on the segmented solid rib volumes, comprising:
performing an animation on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image.
9. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method of visualization, the method comprising:
receiving three-dimensional (3D) medical image data including a plurality of ribs;
segmenting a solid image volume for each of the plurality of ribs within the medical image data;
determining a centerline for each of the segmented solid rib volumes;
straightening each of the segmented solid rib volumes based on the respective centerlines; and
generating a two-dimensional (2D) image based on the straightened segmented solid rib volumes; and
displaying the generated 2D image based on the straightened segmented solid rib volumes to a user;
receiving an input from the user indicating a selection of a region of interest within the displayed 2D image; and
displaying a portion of the un-straightened solid image volume corresponding to the selected region of interest from the displayed 2D image.
10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the step of segmenting the solid image volume for each of the plurality of ribs within the medical image data, comprises:
obtaining a seed point for the each of the plurality of ribs;
tracing from the seed point in each direction of the each of the plurality of ribs;
determining rib edge points of the each of the plurality of ribs; and
extracting a local contour of the each of the plurality of ribs based on the steps of tracing and data from the previous step.
11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , further comprising:
ordering and labeling the extracted contours according based on relative spatial relationships and length ratios of the extracted contours.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the 3D medical image data comprises a computed tomography (CT) image of a chest.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the step of generating a 2D image based on the straightened ribs, comprises:
performing a projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the step of performing a projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image, comprises:
performing a maximum intensity projection (MIP) on the straightened ribs to generate the 2D image.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the step of performing a projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image, comprises:
performing an average intensity projection on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the step of generating a 2D image based on the segmented solid rib volumes, comprising:
performing an animation on the segmented solid rib volumes to generate the 2D image.
17. A method of visualization, comprising:
receiving three-dimensional (3D) medical image data including a plurality of ribs;
segmenting a solid image volume for each of the plurality of ribs within the medical image data;
determining a centerline for each of the segmented solid rib volumes;
straightening each of the segmented solid rib volumes based on the respective centerlines;
displaying the straightened segmented solid rib volumes to a user;
receiving an input from the user indicating a selection of a region of interest within the displayed straightened segmented solid rib volumes; and
displaying a portion of the un-straightened solid image volume corresponding to the selected region of interest from the displayed straightened segmented solid rib volumes.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the corresponding portion of the un-straightened solid image volume is displayed in axial slices.