Tomographic Slice Rendering with Embedded Volume Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tomographic imaging techniques, such as CT colonography, face challenges in accurately rendering 3D images of the colon due to difficulties in automatic path tracking, lack of visual correspondence between endoluminal and standard slice-wise reconstructions, and the opacity of stool residuals hiding polyps in standard volume renderings.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that generates a composite image by embedding volume rendering information into 2D slice-wise reconstructions, using pre-defined selection criteria to select pixels for volume rendering, ensuring spatial correspondence and providing depth and texture information, while allowing for user input to toggle between different display outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If standard volume rendering is used to generate 3D representations, then depth and texture information are provided, but stool residuals appear opaque and hide polyps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rendering qualities to different regions of the image. Stool residuals are rendered with transparency or lower opacity while polyps and colon wall structures maintain higher visibility. This local differentiation allows polyps to be seen through or alongside stool residuals, solving the problem of hidden polyps while preserving depth information where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding and contrast enhancement to differentiate between various tissues and materials. By assigning distinct color characteristics to polyps, stool residuals, and colon wall, the rendering makes previously hidden structures visually distinguishable, allowing polyps to be identified even when spatially overlapping with stool residuals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If endoluminal renderings are generated using perspective projection, then a three-dimensional impression resembling optical colonoscopy is achieved, but there is lack of visual correspondence with standard slice-wise reconstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges endoluminal rendering with standard slice-wise reconstruction into a composite image. The endoluminal view provides 3D depth perception while the overlaid slice-wise reconstruction maintains spatial correspondence with anatomical landmarks. This combination allows clinicians to benefit from both the immersive 3D impression and the accurate spatial reference system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a composite rendering that acts as an intermediary between the perspective endoluminal view and the orthographic slice view. This intermediary representation preserves the depth cues of the 3D rendering while incorporating reference markers or overlaid structures that maintain spatial correspondence with the standard reconstruction, bridging the information gap between the two views.
3Extent of automation
If automatic path tracking is used to generate endoluminal renderings, then the process is automated, but tracking is often erroneous due to constrictions and intertwined bowel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic, multi-stage path determination approach. Rather than relying on a single automatic tracking pass, the system allows for adaptive path selection that can adjust to constrictions and anatomical variations. The rendering can be generated from multiple potential paths or allow interactive adjustment, maintaining automation while improving reliability by adapting to complex anatomical scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating an image representation of slices through a body based on tomographic imaging data for the body. The method comprises processing reconstructed tomographic image slices to selectively embed in each slice image information from at least one 3D volume rendering of the slice plane within the 3D tomographic image dataset. This is done through a selection process wherein, based on a set of pre-defined criteria, a decision is made for each pixel in each reconstructed tomographic slice as to whether the pixel value should be replaced with a new, modified pixel value determined based on the at least one volume rendering. This may comprise simply swapping the pixel value for the value of the corresponding pixel value in the volume rendering, or it may comprise a more complex process, for instance blending the two values, or adjusting a transparency of the pixel value based on the at least one volume rendering.