The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 1989
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1986
Harvey E Cline, Schenectady, NY (US);
Siegwalt Ludke, Scotia, NY (US);
William E Lorensen, Ballston Lake, NY (US);
General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
A dual pipeline architecture for a system for preprocessing image data gathered from such systems as magnetic resonance imaging and computer axial tomography scanners. In one simultaneously operable dual pipeline, normal vectors are computed for each voxel element in accordance with the dividing cubes vector generation system. In another pipeline, circuitry is provided for generating surface identification indicia which are associated with unit normal vectors produced by the former pipeline. Data are supplied to a graphics processor for the production of shaded two-dimensional images representative of three-dimensional surfaces from various view angles. The system is particularly useful in medical diagnostic applications and is particularly useful in planning surgical procedures.