3D Volumetric Blood Flow Visualization in Extended Reality

The patent transitions from 2D imaging to 3D volumetric visualization to represent blood flow. By adding the third dimension, physicians can directly observe blood flow direction, velocity, and patterns in their natural anatomical context, significantly improving measurement precision and visualization accuracy without requiring complex additional hardware beyond standard VR/AR headsets.

The patent creates virtual copies of blood flow data by rendering 3D volumetric datasets from medical imaging (CT, MRI) and overlaying them in VR/AR environments. These virtual representations include flow direction indicators, velocity maps, and anatomical structures that can be manipulated and viewed from multiple angles, providing accurate visualization without requiring physical models or invasive measurement devices.

The patent segments the 3D volumetric dataset into distinct components: anatomical structures (blood vessels, organs), flow direction indicators (arrows, streamlines), and velocity representations (color maps, shading). This segmentation allows each element to be processed and rendered independently, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining complete information representation. The flow visualization elements can be selectively adjusted without reprocessing the entire dataset.

The patent performs preliminary processing of medical imaging data to generate pre-computed 3D volumetric datasets with embedded flow information before the VR/AR session. Flow direction, velocity, and other hemodynamic parameters are calculated in advance and stored as part of the volumetric dataset, eliminating the need for real-time computation during the imaging session and reducing processing complexity during actual use.

The patent implements periodic updating of the 3D volumetric dataset in the VR/AR environment, where the dataset is refreshed at fixed intervals (e.g., 60-90 seconds) rather than continuously in real-time. Between updates, the visualization remains static, consuming minimal energy. This periodic refresh maintains ease of understanding for physicians while dramatically reducing computational load and energy consumption compared to continuous real-time rendering.

The patent introduces controlled dynamic elements into the static 3D visualization, such as slowly moving streamlines or pulsating flow indicators that animate according to the underlying hemodynamic data. These dynamic elements enhance the ease of understanding flow patterns and direction without requiring full real-time computation, as the animation follows pre-computed trajectories and timing parameters.