Anatomical visualization and measurement system

Abstract

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising:generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images;conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; anddetermining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the apparatus comprising:apparatus for generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images;apparatus for conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; andapparatus for determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to medical apparatus in general, and more particularly to anatomical visualization and measurement systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany medical procedures must be carried out at an interior anatomical site which is normally hidden from the view of the physician. In these situations, the physician typically uses some sort of scanning device to examine the patient's anatomy at the interior site prior to, and in preparation for, conducting the actual medical procedure. Such scanning devices typically include CT scanners, MRI devices, X-ray machines, ultrasound devices and the like, and essentially serve to provide the physician with some sort of visualization of the patient's interior anatomical structure prior to commencing the actual medical procedure. The physician can then use this information to plan the medical procedure in advance, taking into account patient-specific anatomical structure.In addition to the foregoing, the physician...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved anatomical visualization and measurement system wherein a scanned 2-D slice image can be appropriately combined with an image generated from a 3-D database so as to create a single composite image.

The present invention also comprises a method for easily and accurately presenting a physician with a particular oblique view of a specified portion of a patient's anatomical structure, e.g., a view taken perpendicular to a blood vessel, at a very specific location along that blood vessel.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, in many cases, the anatomical structures of interest to the physician may be quite small and / or difficult to identify with the naked eye.

While the 2-D slice images generated by the aforementioned scanning devices, and / or the 3-D database images generated by the aforementioned associated computer hardware and software, are generally of great benefit to physicians, certain significant limitations still exist.

Unfortunately, physicians can sometimes have difficulty correlating what they see on one image with what they see on another image.

In these situations it can be relatively difficult and / or time-consuming for the physician to accurately measure and record all of the anatomical dimensions needed for proper sizing of the prosthetic device to the patient.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult and / or impossible to make accurate anatomical measurements with existing visualization systems.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult and / or impossible to accurately generate such a view using existing visualization systems.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult and / or impossible to accurately make such a calculation using existing visualization systems.

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