Tomographic imaging
A method of displaying tomographic information. The method comprises defining a compact region within an imaged target and generating an image showing a part of the target encircling the compact region, wherein the compact region represents a bore to be drilled and the generated image shows a perspective view of the wall of the bore from an open end of the bore.
1. A method of displaying tomographic information, comprising:
defining a compact region within an imaged target; and
generating an image showing a part of the target encircling the compact region,
wherein the compact region represents a bore to be drilled, and the generated image shows a perspective view of a wall of the bore from an open end of the bore.
2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising assessing a quality of a part of the target surrounding the compact region.
3. A method according to claim 2 , further comprising, where the quality of the part of the target surrounding the compact region is assessed as unsatisfactory, defining a different compact region within the target, and repeating the generating of an image for the different compact region.
4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising drilling a bore in the target at the location of the defined compact region.
5. A method according to claim 4 , where the target is anatomical, further comprising installing a prosthetic implant in the bore.
6. A method according to claim 1 , comprising displaying part of the target encircling the compact region as a simulated three-dimensional image.
7. A method according to claim 1 , comprising displaying the target encircling the compact region as a developed image.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein defining the compact region comprises displaying on a graphical user interface a tomographic image of at least one section through the target, and defining on at least one said section a position of an axis of the compact region.
9. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising applying to different parts of the image distinct appearances corresponding to categories of a property of the material forming the target.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the property is bone density, and the distinct appearances are different colors.
11. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising obtaining tomographic data from which to generate the image by scanning the target.
12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein scanning the target comprises x-raying the target.
13. A method of displaying tomographic information, comprising:
defining a compact region within an imaged target; and
generating an image showing a part of the target encircling the compact region,
wherein the compact region represents a bore to be drilled, and the generated image shows a wall of the bore from within the bore.
14. A method according to claim 13 , further comprising assessing a quality of a part of the target surrounding the compact region.
15. A method according to claim 14 , further comprising, where the quality of the part of the target surrounding the compact region is assessed as unsatisfactory, defining a different compact region within the target, and repeating the generating of an image for the different compact region.
16. A method according to claim 13 , further comprising drilling a bore in the target at the location of the defined compact region.
17. A method according to claim 16 , where the target is anatomical, further comprising installing a prosthetic implant in the bore.
18. A method of displaying tomographic information, comprising:
defining a compact region within an imaged target; and
generating an image showing a part of the target encircling the compact region,
wherein the compact region represents a prosthetic component, and the generated image shows the target encircling the prosthetic component, looking away from the prosthetic component.
19. Apparatus for displaying tomographic information, comprising:
a user interface enabling a user to define a compact region of an imaged target; and
a processor arranged to generate an image showing a part of the target surrounding the compact region,
wherein the processor is arranged to accept the compact region in the shape of a drilled bore, and to generate the image showing a wall of the bore from within the bore.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the processor is arranged to display part of the wall of the bore as a simulated three-dimensional image on the user interface.
21. Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the processor is arranged to display the wall of the bore as a developed image.
22. Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface, on which the processor is arranged to display a tomographic image of at least one section through the target, which is arranged to enable the user to define on at least one said section a position of an axis of the compact region.
23. Apparatus according to claim 19 , further comprising a scanner arranged to obtain tomographic data from which to generate the image by scanning the target.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein scanning the target comprises x-raying the target.
25. A computer program, stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium, for displaying tomographic information, comprising instructions for:
defining a compact region within an imaged target; and
generating an image showing the target as it would appear after removal of the compact region from within the space left by removing the compact region;
wherein the compact region represents a bore to be drilled, and the generated image shows a perspective view of a wall of the bore from an open end of the bore.
26. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing a computer program according to claim 25 .