Patent · US Expired

Interactive control of voxel attributes using selectable characteristics

US6219059A · kind A · utility

275Cited by
26References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 15, 1997
Grant dateApr 17, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 15, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG16H30/20
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Controlling the attributes (such as transparency) of volume-rendered images via a window/level mechanism when the images are displayed is disclosed. A volume-rendered image includes a set of voxel data representing an object. The set of voxel data has a range of voxel values, and each voxel datum (or voxel) has at least a voxel value and an attribute value (such as a transparency value). In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a characteristic selector, a level point and window set, and a viewer. The characteristic selector permits a user to select a characteristic to control an attribute of the set of voxel data, such as transparency. The level point and window set permits the user to set the level point and the window within the range of voxel values, where the window is centered at the level point and the characteristic is at least applicable within the window. The viewer displays the set of voxel data, such that the attribute values of voxel data having voxel values within the window are changed as governed by the characteristic selected. Desirably, the characteristics are predetermined in a clinical manner to promote optimal viewing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.