Optimal view map v.0.01

1. A method for coronary intervention treatment planning to facilitate optimal viewing of a coronary arterial tree of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a model of the arterial tree based on image data generated by an imaging device;

identifying a segment of interest of said arterial tree including determining a central vessel axis;

generating a foreshortening map of the segment of interest based on viewing angle and imaging device position, with respect to the patient;

generating an overlap map depicting an amount of overlap for particular viewing angles based on imaging device position;

generating a feasibility map to model dimension of the patient based on patient characteristics, imaging device configuration, foreshortening and overlap;

generating a composite view of said segment of interest in accordance with said foreshortening, feasibility and overlap maps: and

at least one of displaying and electronically storing at least one of the foreshortening map, the overlap map, the feasibility map, and the composite view.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said step of generating the composite view includes:

generating an optimal view map in accordance with said composite view.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said segment of interest is identifiable with at least one marker for viewability.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the foreshortening map includes:

estimating a portion of the central vessel axis.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said steps are conducted one of manually or automatically.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further including:

dividing said composite view into at least two composite views.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said composite view is realized for at least two central vessels.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further including:

displaying a viewing angle in order to provide a standard reference.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further including:

automatically configuring said imaging device pursuant to said composite view.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further including:

generating the image data with an x-ray imaging device.

11. An imaging system which performs a method for optimally viewing a portion of a patient vascular system to facilitate at least one of diagnosis and treatment of said vascular system comprising:

an imaging device which generates image data;

a processor, the processor being programmed to perform the steps of:

acquiring a model of said vascular system based on the image data;

identifying a portion of interest of said vascular system including determining a central vessel axis;

generating a foreshortening map of the portion of interest based on viewing angle and imaging system position, with respect to the patient;

generating an overlap map to determine an amount of overlap for particular viewing angles based on imaging device position;

generating a feasibility map of viewing angles by modeling dimensions of the imaged patient and the imaging device configuration, and using the foreshortening map and the overlap map; and

automatically generating a composite view including selectively combining the foreshortening map, the overlap map, and the feasibility map;

a display device which displays at least one of the foreshortening map, the overlap map, the feasibility map, and the composite view.

12. A method for generating a feasibility map for determining feasibility of possible views of a vascular tree of a patient under study, the method comprising:

generating patient data with an imaging device;

modeling patient data correlated with physical characteristics of said patient under study;

modeling image data identifying a vascular structure of interest in said vascular tree and correlating the vascular structure of interest to said patient data;

generating a feasibility map by modeling imaging system characteristics correlated to the physical characteristics of the patient under study and to the image data;

generating a composite view of the vascular structure of interest in accordance with a foreshortening map, an overlap map, and the feasibility map; and

displaying the composite image and the feasibility map on a display device.