Volume Rendering Apparatus Block Processing Order
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems require significant time and effort to read large volumes of 2D images, as they lack efficient methods for visualizing 3D medical data, particularly when using the maximum intensity projection (MIP) scheme, which is widely used but not optimized for improving rendering performance based on the viewpoint direction.
Innovation Solution
A volume rendering apparatus and method that determines a start block based on the maximum value of blocks along a light beam path, sets a processing order for other blocks based on distance, and updates the light beam value by comparing sampling values, allowing for efficient rendering independent of the viewpoint direction by skipping blocks with values greater than or equal to the light beam and sampling those with lower values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional MIP scheme is used to visualize 3D medical data, then the visualization is easy to implement and useful for visualizing objects with larger brightness values, but the rendering performance depends on the viewpoint direction and requires significant time to process large volumes of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores maximum intensity values for all blocks in the volume data before rendering. This preliminary action allows the rendering system to quickly determine which blocks need to be processed based on pre-computed maximum values, significantly reducing rendering time without requiring complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the volume data into multiple blocks and processes them independently. By segmenting the large volume data into smaller manageable blocks, the system can optimize the processing order and skip blocks that don't contribute to the final image, improving rendering speed while maintaining manageable processing complexity.
2Productivity
If all blocks are processed in traditional MIP rendering, then complete volume data is analyzed, but unnecessary computations are performed on blocks with maximum values greater than or equal to the light beam value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a skipping mechanism where blocks with pre-computed maximum intensity values greater than or equal to the current light beam value are skipped without processing. This allows the system to rush through unnecessary computations by directly identifying and skipping blocks that cannot contribute to the final rendering, significantly improving rendering efficiency and reducing computational energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from comparing block maximum values with the light beam value to dynamically adjust the processing order and determine which blocks need to be sampled. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize its processing path in real-time, avoiding unnecessary computations on blocks that won't affect the final image quality.
3Measurement precision
If volume data is processed in traditional order, then complete sampling is performed, but the processing time increases significantly for large volumes of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting of blocks based on their maximum intensity values and pre-determines the processing order before actual rendering. This preliminary action enables the system to process blocks in an optimized sequence that minimizes processing time while ensuring all necessary sampling is completed accurately, reducing both time loss and maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic processing order that adapts based on the light beam value and block maximum values. Instead of processing blocks in a fixed traditional order, the system dynamically adjusts the processing sequence based on real-time comparisons, allowing for faster processing of large volumes of data while maintaining sampling accuracy through conditional processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for medical imaging executed by an apparatus including a processor includes determining a start block of volume rendering based on respective maximum values of blocks positioned on a path of a light beam; acquiring a value of the light beam based on first sampling values acquired by sampling the start block; setting a processing order for remaining blocks positioned on the path of the light beam based on respective distances between the start block and the remaining blocks; determining whether a next block, according to the processing order, is to be processed, by comparing a maximum value of the next block with the value of the light beam; and comparing second sampling values acquired by sampling the next block with the value of the light beam and updating the value of the light beam according to a comparison result, in response to the maximum value of the next block being greater than the value of the light beam.