Picker International, Inc.

Todd J Krochta

Heang K Tuy

Rodney Arnold Mattson

Frederick C Mailey

Hsayjern Lin

Dominic J Heuscher

A source (A) of images, such as a CT scanner (10), a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (12), and the like produces a plurality of basis images (I.sub.0, I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3 . . . ). Two of the basis images are subtracted and divided (70, 72) by a number of interpolation increments (L.sub.1) to form a first differential image (I.sub..DELTA.1). The first and the third basis images are subtracted and divided (76, 78) by a number of available interpolation increments (L.sub.2) to form a second differential image (I.sub..DELTA.2). Four differential images are selectively combined and divided by a product of the first and second available increments (82, 84) to form a second order differential image (I.sup.2.sub..DELTA.12). An array of adders (D) selectively adds the first differential image to a currently displayed image stored in an image memory E each time a track ball (104) moves a cursor one increment in a horizontal position. Each time the track ball moves the cursor one increment up or down along the vertical column, the adder array adds or subtracts the second differential image to the currently displayed image. Each time the track ball steps the cursor between rows or between columns, the second order differential image is used to correct one of the first and second differential images. In this manner, only the currently displayed image, the first differential image, the second differential image, and the second order differential image need be stored to provide free interpolation among four basis images. The basis images themselves need not be stored.

Multi-parameter image display with real time interpolation

During surgery, a physician speaks commands that are received by a microphone (10). A speech processor (12) converts audio signals from the microphone into word signals. A command interpreter (14) compares each word signal with a list of previously authorized command words. When the word signal corresponds to one of the preselected command words, a corresponding command signal is generated and sent to a volume imager (18), a video recorder (20), a hard copy, printer (28), or other system component. The volume imager generates an image representation signal indicative of a portion of image data stored therein which is displayed on a video monitor (B) or recorded on the video recorder.

Voice actuated volume image controller and display controller

A C.T. scanner (A) or other medical diagnostic imager generates volume image data which is stored in an image memory (B). An image memory access controller (30) withdraws selected pixel values from the volume image memory which it provides a video processor (20) to formulate the appropriate video signals for display on a video monitor (C). An operator defines a volume on an operator controller (32). A plurality of interconnected polygons define the three-dimensional volume specified by the operator. The video processor converts these defined polygons into an appropriate display on the monitor. The polygons are selected to define a subregion to be viewed. The polygons are rotated about one or more of (x), (y), and (z) axis, scaled, and translated along these axis to select an orientation from which the polygon and enclosed data is to be viewed. The rotation, scaling and translation is stored (38, 40, 42). From each pixel interior to the projection of a visible polygon onto the screen, the coordinates of a sample in the polygon are calculated via the inverse of the stored rotation, scaling, and translation. The CT value of sample and that of its neighbors are retrieved, interpolated, weighted with the surface gradient and illuminated on the screen. The polygons are compared and hidden surfaces removed (54). Retrieved pixel values that correspond to air or other tissue that is not to be viewed rather, the access control means continues to step along the translated and rotated viewing direction ray until a pixel value is found which meets the air and non-viewed tissue viewing criteria (62). For a more lifelike image, shading is added (64) to data corresponding to one or more of the polygons.

Rapid display of rotated and translated three dimensional image

A system for three-dimensional diagnostic imaging generates a plurality of slice images of a specimen. A region of interest is selected from within a slice and is extrapolated to subsequent slices. A boundary indicative of a surface of interest is selected from within the region of interest to facilitate generation of an image representative of a three-dimensional surface of interest to be assembled from subsequent slices of the plurality. A viewing surface is defined in relation to a generated surface image which was selected from the boundary. A scaling means assigns a scaled gray level to the three-dimensional image to facilitate three-dimensional viewing of the object when it is projected on the viewing surface. Image information is selectably modified by data from the original slice images to add surface density visualization. Means is also provided to facilitate selective segmentation of a three-dimensional image along a plane or planes of interest. An interactive procedure is provided to facilitate cutting of a three-dimensional object from its perspective view (with or without density information).

System to reformat images for three-dimensional display using unique

A diagnostic imaging system generates a three-dimensional display from a series of two-dimensional slice images. A region of interest, defined from a boundary of interest, is selected from one slice and is extrapolated to subsequent slices. Pixels representative of the boundary of interest are isolated and represented by three vectors having an equivalent entries in each. First and second vectors store data representative of first and second coordinates for pixels within each slice. Entries in the third vector corresponds to physical properties of a specimen at a location defined by corresponding entries in the first and second vectors. Areas representative of boundaries of interest falling between slices are extrapolated from vector data from slices neighboring the area. This is accomplished by a linear interpolation of elements of the set of smaller vectors to a number equivalent to the entries in the neighboring larger vectors. Next, a linear extrapolation between respective elements of the lengthened vector and the longer of the vector is made. Finally, a linear interpolation of the intermediate vector to a number of vector elements intermediate the larger and smaller of the neighboring vectors is made. This process is suitably continued during a preselected number of iterations. Finally, a discretized three-dimensional object represented by all sets of first, second, and third vectors are mapped to pixels of an associated pixel frame.

Quick three-dimensional display

A system for three-dimensional diagnostic imaging generates a plurality of slice images of a specimen. A region of interest is selected from within a slice and is extrapolated to subsequent slices. A boundary of indicative of a surface of interest is selected from within the region of interest to facilitate generation of an image representation of a three-dimensional surface of interest to be assembled from subsequent slices of the plurality. A viewing surface is defined in relation to a generated surface image which was selected from the boundary. A scaling means assigns a scaled gray level to the three-dimensional image to facilitate three-dimensional viewing of the object when it is projected on the viewing surface. Image information is selectably modified by data from the original slice images to add surface density visualization. Means is also provided to facilitate selective segmentation of a three-dimensional image along a plane or planes of interest. An interactive procedure is provided to facilitate cutting of a three-dimensional object from its perspective view (with or without density information).

Growing community of inventors

Copley, OH, United States of America

Todd J Krochta