vHGW Algorithm for 3D Medical Image Slab Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slab rendering in medical imaging is computationally costly, especially for thicker slabs, due to the need to generate a set of 2D images from 3D volume data, which scales with O(m×n^3) runtime, making it inefficient for generating a series of 2D images through a volume using a stack of slabs.
Innovation Solution
Applying the van-Herk-Gil-Werman (vHGW) algorithm to process a stack of slabs of the same thickness, using a one-dimensional approach that computes all segment positions simultaneously, reducing the computational intensity to O(n^3+m), and utilizing associative binary operations for filtering operations like MIP, MinIP, AveIP, and VR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional slab rendering is used to generate 2D images from 3D volume data, then complete image series can be produced, but computational runtime increases significantly with slab thickness (O(m×n^3))
Solution Approach 1:
The volume data is divided into discrete slabs of thickness m, where each slab can be processed independently. This segmentation allows the rendering problem to be broken down into manageable chunks that can be processed in parallel or sequentially without increasing overall computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the 3D rendering problem into a 1D filtering problem along the view axis. By applying 1D filters to the slab data, the computational complexity is reduced from O(m×n^3) to O(n^3+m), effectively changing the dimensionality of the processing approach
2Stability of the object's composition
If thicker slabs are used for rendering, then noise is averaged out and images are smoother, but computational cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of slab thickness m, allowing users to adjust it based on their needs. Thicker slabs provide better noise averaging and smoother images, while the optimized algorithm ensures that the computational cost increase is minimal compared to traditional methods
3Measurement precision
If a stack of slabs is rendered incrementally through the volume, then detailed visualization is achieved, but processing time increases with each additional slab
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-processes the volume data to create a set of slabs that can be rendered independently. This preliminary segmentation allows for efficient processing where slabs can be generated and rendered in parallel, improving overall productivity while maintaining visualization detail
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the invention provide a computer apparatus and corresponding computer implement method for slab rendering from a three dimensional (3D) image data set of voxel data. Slab rendering is carried out on a stack of slabs of the same thicknesses in the 3D image data set. The whole stack of slabs is rendered together according to a desired filtering operation by applying a one dimensional van-Herk-Gil-Werman (vHGW) algorithm having a segment size one less than the slab thickness to strings of data that run through the whole stack.