System for the simultaneous display of two or more internal surfaces within a solid object
US4821213A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1986 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S378/901
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.