Harald Evers

Virtual surgery in a (tele-)radiology framework

Presents telemedicine as an extension of a teleradiology framework through tools for virtual surgery. To classify the described methods and applications, the research field of virtual reality (VR) is broadly reviewed. Differences with respect to technical equipment, methodological requirements and areas of application are pointed out. VR, desktop VR and augmented reality are differentiated and discussed in some typical contexts of diagnostic support, surgical planning, therapeutic procedures, simulation and training. Visualization techniques are compared as a prerequisite for VR and assigned to distinct levels of immersion. The advantage of a hybrid visualization kernel is emphasized with respect to the desktop VR applications that are subsequently shown. Moreover, software design aspects are considered by outlining functional openness in the architecture of the host system. A teleradiology workstation was extended by dedicated tools for surgical planning through a plug-in mechanism. Examples of recent areas of application are introduced, such as liver tumor resection planning, diagnostic support in heart surgery, and craniofacial surgery planning. In the future, surgical planning systems will become more important. They will benefit from improvements in image acquisition and communication, new image processing approaches and techniques for data presentation. This will facilitate pre-operative planning and intra-operative applications.

Extending a teleradiology system by tools for visualization and volumetric analysis through a plug-in mechanism

This paper describes ongoing research concerning interactive volume visualization coupled with tools for volumetric analysis. To establish an easy to use application, the three-dimensional-visualization has been embedded in a state of the art teleradiology system, where additional functionality is often desired beyond basic image transfer and management. Major clinical requirements for deriving spatial measures are covered by the tools, in order to realize extended diagnosis support and therapy planning. Introducing a general plug-in mechanism, this work exemplarily describes the useful extension of an approved application. Interactive visualization was achieved by a hybrid approach taking advantage of both the precise volume visualization based on the Heidelberg ray-tracing model and the graphics acceleration capabilities of modern workstations. Several tools for volumetric analysis extend the three-dimensional-viewing. They are controlled by adequate input devices to select locations in the data volume, measure anatomical structures or initiate a segmentation process. Moreover, a haptic interface can be connected to provide a more realistic feedback while navigating within the three-dimensional-reconstruction. The work is closely related to research in the field of heart, liver and head surgery. In cooperation with our medical partners the development of tools as presented facilitates the integration of image analysis into the clinical routine.

Medical image processing and visualization on heterogenous clusters of symmetric multiprocessors using MPI and POSIX threads

In this paper we present the design and implementation of a parallel system for interactive segmentation and visualization of three-dimensional medical images which is distributed on a heterogenous cluster of workstations or personal computers. All image processing functions are multithreaded to use the advantages of symmetric multiprocessors. Its platform-independence is achieved using standardized libraries like MPI and POSIX Threads.

The image related services of the HELIOS software engineering environment

This paper describes the approach of the European HELIOS project to integrate image processing tools into ward information systems. The image processing tools are the result of the basic research in image analysis in the Department Medical and Biological Informatics at the German Cancer Research Center. These tools for the analysis of two-dimensional images and three-dimensional data volumes with 3D reconstruction and visualization ae part of the Image Related Services of HELIOS. The HELIOS software engineering environment allows to use the image processing functionality in integrated applications.

Design of a distributed CORBA based image processing server

This paper presents the design and implementation of a distributed image processing server based on CORBA. Existing image processing tools were encapsulated in a common way with this server. Data exchange and conversion is done automatically inside the server, hiding these tasks from the user. The different image processing tools are visible as one large collection of algorithms and due to the use of CORBA are accessible via intra-/internet.

5D interactive real time Doppler ultrasound visualization of the heart

Heart valve insufficiencies can optimally be assessed using transesophageal, triggered, three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. The dynamic ultrasound data contain morphological as well as functional components which are recorded and displayed simultaneously. It allows the visualization of intracardiac motion which is an important parameter to detect abnormal flow caused by defect valves. A realtime reconstruction is desired to get a spatial impression on the one hand and to interactively clip parts of the volume on the other hand. OpenGL Volumizer is used for visualization. Scalability of the visualization was tested with respect to different workstations and graphics resources using a Multipipe Utility library (MPU). The combination of both APIs enables a visualization of volumetric and functional data with frame rates up to 10 frames per second. By using the proposed method, it is possible to visualize the jet in the original color-coding which is employed during a conventional two- dimensional examination for displaying the velocity values. A good scalability from low cost up to high end graphic workstations is given by the use of the MPU. The quality of the resulting 3D images allows exact differentiation of heart valve insufficiencies to support the diagnostic procedure.

Extending a teleradiology system by tools for 3D-visualization and volumetric analysis through a plug-in mechanism.

This paper describes ongoing research concerning interactive volume visualization coupled with tools for volumetric analysis. To establish an easy to use application, the 3D-visualization has been embedded in a state of the art teleradiology system, where additional functionality is often desired beyond basic image transfer and management. Major clinical requirements for deriving spatial measures are covered by the tools, in order to realize extended diagnosis support and therapy planning. Introducing the general plug-in mechanism this work exemplarily describes the useful extension of an approved application. Interactive visualization was achieved by a hybrid approach taking advantage of both the precise volume visualization based on the Heidelberg Raytracing Model and the graphics acceleration of modern workstations. Several tools for volumetric analysis extend the 3D-viewing. They offer 3D-pointing devices to select locations in the data volume, measure anatomical structures or control segmentation processes. A haptic interface provides a realistic perception while navigating within the 3D-reconstruction. The work is closely related to research work in the field of heart, liver and head surgery. In cooperation with our medical partners the development of tools as presented proceed the integration of image analysis into clinical routine.

Volume visualization and interactive tools plugged into a teleradiology system

This paper presents ongoing research in the field of volume visualization, interactive volumetric analysis and teleradiology. To cover the complete scenario from image acquisition to computer-based diagnosis and therapy support, interactive tools for volume visualization and volumetric analysis have been integrated into a state of the art teleradiology system through a general plug-in mechanism. Visualization is demonstrated as a hybrid approach integrating precise volume visualization based on the Heidelberg Raytracing Model with fast surface rendering. With respect to volumetric analysis, tools extend the 3D-viewing. They allow to measure distances, angles, areas and volumes through 3D- pointing and user controlled segmentation processes. Various input devices can be connected to control the navigation of the viewer or objects in the scene. Moreover, a haptic interface has been investigated. The realistic perception through force feedback while navigating within the 3D- reconstruction was positively judged by the medical users as well as software developers. The work is closely related to research in the field of heart, liver and cranio-facial surgery planning. In cooperation with our medical partners the development of tools as presented proceed the integration of image analysis into the clinical routine.

Haptisches Rendering in der Operationsplanung

Dieses Paper prasentiert unsere laufende Arbeit auf dem Gebiet der Operationsplanung unter Verwendung eines PHANToM Force Feedback Devices. Der bisherige Einsatz kraftreflektierender Eingabegerate in der Medizin beschrankt sich vorwiegend auf die Operationssimulation. An Hand von zwei Szenarien aus der Herz- und Leberchirurgie werden Moglichkeiten der Verwendung dieser Gerate in der praoperativen Planung aufgezeigt sowie unser Design eines haptisch unterstiitzten Segmentiertools beschrieben.

Interactive realtime doppler-uitrasound visualization of the heart

Heart valve insufficiencies can optimally be assessed using transesophageal, triggered, three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. The dynamic ultrasound data contain morphological as well as functional components which are recorded and displayed simultaneously. It allows the visualization of intracardiac motion which is an important parameter to detect abnormal flow caused by defect valves. A realtime reconstruction is desired to get a spatial impression on the one hand and to interactively clip parts of the volume on the other hand. Therefore, we use the OpenGL Volumizer API. Scalability of the visualization was tested with respect to different workstations and graphics resources using a Multipipe Utility library. The combination of both APIs enables a visualization of volumetric and functional data with frame rates up to 10 frames per second. By using the proposed method, it is possible to visualize the jet in the original color-coding which is employed during a conventional two-dimensional examination for displaying the velocity values. The morphological and the functional data are handled as two independent data channels. A good scalability from low cost up to high end graphic workstations is given by the use of the MPU. The quality of the resulting 3D images allows exact differentiation of heart valve insufficiencies to support the diagnostic procedure.