Anatomical visualization and measurement system

Abstract

The present invention provides an anatomical visualization and measurement system comprising a first database that comprises a plurality of 2-D slice images generated by scanning a structure. The 2-D slice images are stored in a first data format. A second database is also provided that comprises a 3-D computer model of the scanned structure. The 3-D computer model comprises a first software object that is defined by a 3-D geometry database. Apparatus is provided for selecting a particular 2-D slice image from the first database. Apparatus is also provided for inserting a second software object into the 3-D computer model so as to augment the 3-D computer model. The second software object is also defined by a 3-D geometry database, and includes a planar surface. The second software object is inserted into the 3-D computer model at the position which corresponds to the position of the selected 2-D slice image relative to the scanned structure. Apparatus is also provided for texture mapping the specific 2-D slice image onto the planar surface of the second software object. Display apparatus is provided for displaying an image of the augmented 3-D computer model so as to simultaneously provide a view of the first software object and the specific 2-D slice image texture mapped onto the planar surface of the second software object. Apparatus and method are also provided for determining structural dimensions and volumes using appropriate scanned 2-D slice image information. The apparatus and method are particularly well suited for determining dimensions with respect to structures which follow a tortuous path and/or have a complex branching structure, e.g., vascular structures. Among other things, the present invention permits an appropriate set of scanned 2-D images to be assembled into a 3-D database, information regarding selected structural features to be segmented out of the 3-D database, and measurements to be made based on these structural features. In addition, the present invention permits a set of oblique images to be generated based on these structural features, which oblique images may themselves be used for measurement purposes.

1 . A system for determining a dimension of an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said system comprising: 
 means for assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;    means for extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database;    means for specifying a measurement to be made based on said extracted anatomical feature; and    means for calculating the measurement so specified.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  further comprising means for generating a set of oblique slice images from said 3-D database, wherein the orientation of said oblique slice images is determined by the configuration of said anatomical feature.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said system comprises means for specifying a measurement to be made based on one of said oblique slice images.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said anatomical feature is the centerline of said anatomical structure.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4  wherein said system comprises a cumulative sum table derived from said centerline, and further wherein said means for calculating utilize said cumulative sum table to determine a length measurement.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said system comprises a cumulative sum table derived from said anatomical feature, and further wherein said means for calculating utilize said cumulative sum table to determine a volume measurement.  
     
     
         7 . A system for visualizing an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said system comprising: 
 means for assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;    means for extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database;    means for specifying a view to be rendered based on said extracted anatomical feature; and    means for rendering the view so specified.    
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7  further comprising means for generating a set of oblique slice images from said 3-D database, wherein the orientation of said oblique slice images is determined by the configuration of said anatomical feature.  
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein said anatomical feature is the centerline of said anatomical structure.  
     
     
         10 . A method for determining a dimension of an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (1) assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;    (2) extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database;    (3) specifying a measurement to be made based on said extracted anatomical feature; and    (4) calculating the measurement so specified.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein Step 2 includes the step of generating a set of oblique slice images from said 3-D database, wherein the orientation of said oblique slice images is determined by the configuration of said anatomical feature.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein said measurement is specified with respect to at least one of said oblique slice images.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein said anatomical feature is the centerline of said anatomical structure.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein Step 2 includes the step of generating a cumulative sum table derived from said centerline, and further wherein Steps 3 and 4 are conducted with respect to said cumulative sum table to determine a length measurement.  
     
     
         15 . A method for visualizing an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (1) assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;    (2) extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database;    (3) specifying a view to be rendered based on said extracted anatomical feature; and    (4) rendering the view so specified.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  including generating a set of oblique slice images from said 3-D database, wherein the orientation of said oblique slice images is determined by the configuration of said anatomical feature.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said anatomical feature is the centerline of said anatomical structure.  
     
     
         18 . Storage media comprising: 
 a first section comprising 2-D axial slice image data;    a second section comprising 2-D coronal slice image data;    a third section comprising 2-D sagittal slice image data; and    a fourth section comprising means usable by a computer for accessing said image data contained in said first, second and third sections.    
     
     
         19 . Storage media according to  claim 18  wherein said media further comprises a fifth section comprising a 3-D computer model of a patient's anatomical structure.  
     
     
         20 . Storage media according to  claim 19  wherein said media further comprises a table of results from volume calculations.  
     
     
         21 . Storage media according to  claim 20  wherein said media further comprises 2-D oblique slice image data.  
     
     
         22 . Storage media according to  claim 21  wherein said 2-D oblique slice image data is derived from the centerline of said anatomical structure.  
     
     
         23 . Storage media according to  claim 22  wherein said media further comprises a table of results from length calculations.  
     
     
         24 . Storage media according to  claim 23  wherein said storage media comprises a CD ROM.  
     
     
         25 . An article of manufacture comprising: 
 a computer usable medium having computer readable data means embodied therein, said computer readable data means embodying:    a first database comprising 2-D axial slice image data;    a second database comprising 2-D coronal slice image data; and    a third database comprising 2-D sagittal slice image data.    
     
     
         26 . A computer data structure comprising: 
 a first database comprising 2-D axial slice image data;    a second database comprising 2-D coronal slice image data;    a third database comprising 2-D sagittal slice image data; and    means usable by a computer for accessing said image data contained in said first, second and third databases.