Dynamic Anatomical Structure Visualization via Volume of Interest Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for visualizing dynamic anatomical structures, such as the heart, often lead to misinterpretation of spatial relationships due to limitations in 2D screen viewing and dependence on image quality, resulting in incorrect measurements and lost geometrical correlations essential for medical interventions.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves providing a sequence of 3D medical images spanning a time period, creating a dynamic model of the anatomical structure that follows its movement, and defining a volume of interest (VOI) that tracks the position and shape of specific anatomical features. This method combines volume rendering within the VOI with the dynamic model, allowing for accurate visualization and navigation of complex anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simplified surface or shape models are used to represent anatomical structures, then ease of interpretation and compensation for poor image quality is improved, but anatomical characteristics and geometrical correlations are lost or oversimplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the anatomical structure into multiple surface models representing different time points or phases of the cardiac cycle. Each surface model captures specific anatomical characteristics at that phase, allowing detailed analysis while maintaining interpretability through focused representation rather than attempting to model all details simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic model that animates the transformation between surface models across different time points. This dynamic visualization preserves anatomical characteristics by showing how structures change over time, maintaining geometrical correlations that would be lost in static simplified representations while remaining easier to interpret through motion cues.
2Manufacturing precision
If threshold-based segmentation is used to display medical image data, then detailed anatomical structures can be visualized, but image errors are incorporated and false conclusions may result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surface models as an intermediary representation between the raw medical image data and the final visualization. These surface models are generated through fitting processes that filter out image errors and artifacts, providing a reliable geometric representation that maintains anatomical accuracy without incorporating the false information present in the original thresholded images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified surface model copies of the complex anatomical structures. These copies capture the essential geometrical correlations and anatomical characteristics while eliminating image errors and artifacts present in the original data, providing a reliable representation for analysis and planning.
3Ease of operation
If 3D volume rendering is used to display medical image data, then a 3D mental model can be formed, but the visualization is strongly dependent on image quality and selected settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates surface model copies that are independent of the original image quality. These surface models are generated through fitting algorithms that produce consistent geometric representations regardless of variations in image quality or rendering settings, providing a reliable 3D visualization that maintains anatomical accuracy across different display conditions.
4Ease of operation
If orthogonal planes are used to view 3D medical data on 2D screens, then analysis can be performed, but misinterpretation of spatial relationships frequently occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D orthogonal plane views to 3D surface model visualizations that can be rotated and examined from multiple angles. This dimensional change allows accurate perception of spatial relationships while maintaining analysis capability, as users can interactively explore the 3D structures without the limitations of fixed 2D projection planes.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of visualising a dynamic anatomical structure (1), a computer program and a user interface. The method comprises (a) providing a sequence of three-dimensional medical images (M1, M2, M3, … MZ) of a dynamic anatomical structure (1) spanning a time period (T), (b) providing a dynamic model (14), in particular surface of the anatomical structure, (c) determining a volume of interest (40) containing an anatomical feature of interest (3) within each of the three-dimensional images, wherein the volume of interest (40) follows the position and/or the shape of the anatomical feature of interest (3) across the time period and wherein the volume of interest (40) is smaller than the complete field of view of the three-dimensional medical images (M1, M2, M3, … MZ), and (d) providing a three-dimensional visualisation environment (50, 70), wherein a visualisation (45) corresponding to a particular point in time comprises (i) a volume rendering of the volume of interest (40) of the three-dimensional image; and (ii) a visualisation of the dynamic model (14) in the same coordinate system. Preferably, the three-dimensional visualisation environment (50, 70) allows for displaying the dynamic model (14) and the volume rendered volume of interest (40) for each three-dimensional image across the time period in cine mode.