Method and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging using surface-enhanced volume rendering
US6102861A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/916
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In performing for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of an object from any angle relative to the plane of acquisition, a human body is scanned to acquire multiple images forming a data volume. The system computer generates a multiplicity of reformatted slices through the data volume and parallel to the imaging plane. For each projected pixel, a ray is cast through the reformatted slices onto the imaging plane. For each pixel along the ray, the accumulated intensity is calculated as a function of the pixel and opacity values for the pixel being processed, the accumulated intensity calculated at the preceding pixel the remaining opacity for the subsequent pixels. The final accumulated intensity for each ray is obtained when the remaining opacity reaches a predetermined minimum. The accumulated intensities for all cast rays form the projected image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.