Anatomical Volume Model Editing with Coupled Geometric Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining geometric models of anatomical volume objects, particularly in coronary plaque analysis from cardiac computed-tomography angiography data, often result in implausible configurations of inner and outer vessel walls during editing operations, and fail to maintain the centerline's correct course.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates and modifies representations of anatomical volume objects' surfaces and centerlines based on medical image data, using boundary indicators to enforce geometrical constraints, ensuring that the modified representations comply with each other, preventing implausible configurations by coupling surfaces and centerlines to constrain each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual editing operations are performed on the inner vessel wall to alter its course, then the surface representation can be intuitively modified, but the centerline and outer wall may end up in implausible configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the editing of the inner vessel wall with automatic updates to the centerline and outer wall representations. When a user modifies the inner wall surface points, the system combines this manual editing with automated geometric calculations to simultaneously update the centerline course and outer wall configuration, ensuring all three remain geometrically consistent throughout the editing process
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where modifications to the inner vessel wall automatically trigger recalculation and updates of the centerline and outer wall. This feedback loop ensures that any manual editing operation is followed by automatic adjustments that maintain geometrical constraints, preventing implausible configurations while preserving user intent
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner and outer vessel surfaces are independently edited, then flexibility in modification is increased, but geometrical constraints may be violated leading to implausible configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic coupling between the inner and outer vessel wall representations. Rather than treating them as static independent entities, the system creates dynamic relationships where the outer wall and centerline automatically adapt their configurations in response to inner wall edits, maintaining geometrical constraints while preserving editing flexibility through conditional updates
3Adaptability or versatility
If the centerline is allowed to move freely during editing, then adaptability in course modification is improved, but the centerline may deviate from its correct anatomical course
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the centerline as a reference structure before allowing extensive editing of vessel walls. The centerline is initially determined from the medical image data and serves as a geometric constraint that guides subsequent editing operations, ensuring that even as walls are modified, the centerline remains anchored to its correct anatomical course
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates in one aspect to a method for determining a geometric model of an anatomical volume object based on medical image data of the anatomical volume object, the method comprising: - generating a first representation of a first subset of the anatomical volume object based on the medical image data, - generating a second representation of a second subset of the anatomical volume object based on the medical image data, - setting first boundary indicators indicative of an intended course of a modified first representation, - setting second boundary indicators indicative of an intended course of a modified second representation based on the first boundary indicators, wherein the second boundary indicators are set in a way that the intended course of the modified second representation is in compliance with a geometrical constraint implied by the intended course of the modified first representation.