Visualizing volumetric image of anatomical structure

US10297089B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINIKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Thomas Buelow · Großhansdorf, DE
• Daniel Bystrov · Hamburg, DE
• Rafael Wiemker · Kisdorf, DE
• Dominik Benjamin Kutra · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 18, 2015
• Grant date: May 21, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 18, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G16H30/20
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method is provided for visualizing a volumetric image of an anatomical structure. Using a first view of the volumetric image showing a non-orthogonal cross-section of a surface of the anatomical structure, a local orientation of the surface within the volumetric image is determined, namely by analyzing the image data of the volumetric image. Having determined the local orientation of the surface, a second view is generated of the volumetric image, the second view being geometrically defined by a viewing plane intersecting the surface of the anatomical structure in the volumetric image orthogonally. Accordingly, the surface is shown in a sharper manner in the second view than would typically be the case in the first view. Advantageously, the user can manually define or correct a delineation of the outline of the anatomical structure in a more precise manner. Moreover, various other advantageously uses of such a second view exist, such as facilitating the image interpretation by the clinician, more reliable further automatic analysis, etc.