Center line automatic locating method of virtual endoscope system

Abstract

A method of automatic imaging viewpoint positioning for intra-organ browsing in virtual endoscope system, belonging to the field of medical image processing and application. The invention firstly converts the data field (called by original data field in the following) derived from CT, MRI and other tomography images to a distance data field expressed by distance scale via distance transformation, and after the original point positioning, establishes a tree structure for the original data field by using maximum-cost spanning tree algorithm, obtains its longest branch, and accomplishes the generation of the center line of the virtual endoscope. The invention realizes automatic search of the center line of the virtual endoscope, avoids the operational trivialism and imprecision resulted from manual position assignment, acts accurately in positioning, and needs not to be amended.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the field of medical image processing and application. The invention relates to a centerline automatic positioning method for browsing paths in a virtual endoscope system, so that the imaging viewpoint is automatically located at the center of a target organ. Background technique [0002] Virtual endoscope is based on the human body data field provided by medical imaging data (such as: CT, MRI, etc.), using computer technology to virtually observe multiple organs inside the human body, especially the internal surface of hollow organs, because it is similar to optical fiber Endoscopy, hence the name virtual endoscopy. It has some advantages that fiber optic endoscopes cannot replace, such as: suitable for the weak, infants, and those with severe stenosis of hollow organs. In addition, it has the characteristics of safety and non-invasiveness. welcome. [0003] The best view point of the hollow organ virtual endoscope is gener...

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Problems solved by technology

The viewpoint selection of the virtual endoscope in the prior art is generally a manually designated position (J.C.T Chen, M.L.Levy, A.PAmar, et al.Virtual endoscopic environments in modem neurosurgicalpractice.Neurosurg Focus, 1999; 6(4):Article 11) , it uses three planes to display the position of the current viewpoint in the three directions of space, adjusting the position of the viewpoint in the three directions determines the movement of the viewpoint. The disadvantage of this method is that the operation is cumbersome, and dragging a Observation from the point of view requires a certain concept of spatial anatomical position, so it limits its clinical application

Some researchers have explored automatic centerline finding methods (A.Vilanova, E.Groller, A.Konig. Cylindrical Approximation of Tubular Organs for Virtual Endoscopy by. Computer Graphics and Imaging 2000 Conference Proceedings, pp 283-289 and RD Swift, AP Kiraly, AJ Sherbondy, et al.Automatic axis generation for virtual bronchoscopic assessment of major airway obstructions.Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, 2002; 26(2):103-118), where columnar The main disadvantages of this method are as follows: 1. For some organs with complex structures, such as the colon, when distortions or pathological deformities occur, or even in normal bends, the centerline obtained cannot It is fully guaranteed that it is located in the center; 2. The degree of automation is not enough, and there are more interventions in the later stage

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