Method and apparatus for quantitative analysis of a tree of recursively splitting tubular organs

Abstract

Method for quantitative analysis of a tree or part of a tree of recursively splitting tubular organs, the method comprising the following steps: —providing a 3D model of said tree or part of said tree, such 3D model giving a representation of the surface of the lumen wall of the tubular organs forming the tree or part of the tree; —defining the 3D centerlines of said tree or part of the tree; —identifying the branches of the tree; —identifying N-furcations of the tree or part of the tree, an N-furcation being a part of the tree where a proximal tubular organ branches into two or more distal tubular organs, further comprising the step of: —dividing, independently from the modality used for obtaining the 3D model, each branch in one or more regions, such regions being of two different types, named single vessel region and splitting region, different cross-section surfaces being defined in such regions, wherein the splitting regions can exist at the proximal side of a branch as well as at the distal side of said branch and each N-furcation comprises the distal splitting region of a branch and the proximal splitting regions of the N branches directly distal to said branch. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also disclosed.