Enhanced image processing for a three-dimensional imaging system
US6334847B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/916
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A depth-limited image processor employed in combination with a three-dimensional ultrasonographic system whereby, from a model representing at least a portion of a three-dimensional volumetric array, a user selecta a ray-depth from at least one face of the model thereby forming a “thick-plane” region of interest. All voxels within the “thick-plane” are processed successively according to a user selected imaging technique along the depth of the ray. The results of the processing are projected onto corresponding screen pixels to produce an enhanced three-dimensional image. In another embodiment, an adaptive depth-limited image processing means is employed whereby voxels are first checked against a user selected condition. voxels meeting this condition are then processed as above to produce an enhanced three-dimensional image. The user selected imaging technique may include, but is not limited to, Texture Mapping, Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP), Conditional MIP (CMIP) and/or Ray Summation (Raysum).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.