System and method for real-time rendering of complex data

Abstract

Methods for volume rendering of 3D object data are provided. The methods can include classifying 3D object data and determining a transfer function to use to render the 3D object data. based on the classification; incrementally determining voxels to render from the 3D object data; and/or determining a grid that represents the voxels and rendering based on the voxel grid.

1 . A method for volume rendering three--dimensional (3D) imaging data via a computer processor, the method comprising:
 for each voxel in the 3D imaging data, the computer processor determining a material classification index;   the computer processor selecting, based on each material classification. index and an HU value, a corresponding transfer function from a stored plurality of transfer functions; and   the computer processor rendering each voxel in the 3D imaging data based on its respective selected transfer function.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining the material classification further comprises:
 determining an initial material classification; 
 segmenting the 3D imaging data; and
 determining the material classification based on the initial material classification and. the segmented 3D imaging data. 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein determining an initial material classification value is based on a HU value of the respective voxel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein determining an initial material classification value is based on a probability map. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the segmentingis based on a magnitude of a gradient of each. voxel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein segmenting the 3D imaging data further comprises eroding, opening or closing all or a portion of the 3D imaging data. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein determining the material classification further comprises determining an intersection between the segmented 3D imaging data. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transient computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer processor to perform the method of:
 for each voxel in 3D imaging data, the computer processor determining a material classification index;   for each combination of HU value and material classification index the computer processor selecting a corresponding transfer function from a stored plurality of transfer functions; and   the computer processor rendering each voxel in the 3D imaging data based on its respective selected transfer function.   
     
     
         9 . A system for volume rendering three-dimensional (3D) imaging data via a computer processor, the system comprising:
 a memory; and   a processor to:   for each voxel in the 3D imaging data, determine a material classification index;   select, based on each material classification index and an HU value, a corresponding transfer function from a stored plurality of transfer functions; and   render each voxel in the 3D imaging data based on its respective selected transfer function.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein determining the material classification further comprises:
 determining an initial material classification; 
 segmenting the 3D imaging data; and
 determining the material classification based on the initial material classification and the segmented  3 D imaging data. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein determining an initial material classification value is based on a HU value of the respective voxel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein determining an initial material classification value is based on a probability map. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the segmenting is based on a magnitude of a gradient of each voxel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein segmenting the 3D imaging data further comprises dilating, eroding, opening or closing all or a portion of the 3D imaging data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein determining the material classification further comprises determining an intersection between the segmented 3D imaging data.