Siegwalt Ludke

Two algorithms for the three‐dimensional reconstruction of tomograms

Three-dimensional (3-D) surface reconstructions provide a method to view complex anatomy contained in a set of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or single photon emission computed tomography tomograms. Existing methods of 3-D display generate images based on the distance from an imaginary observation point to a patch on the surface and on the surface normal of the patch. We believe that the normalized gradient of the original values in the CT or MRI tomograms provides a better estimate for the surface normal and hence results in higher quality 3-D images. Then two algorithms that generate 3-D surface models are presented. The new methods use polygon and point primitives to interface with computer-aided design equipment. Finally, several 3-D images of both bony and soft tissue show the skull, spine, internal air cavities of the head and abdomen, and the abdominal aorta in detail.

3D reconstruction of the brain from magnetic resonance images using a connectivity algorithm

We present high resolution three dimensional (3D) connectivity, surface construction and display algorithms that detect, extract, and display the surface of a brain from contiguous magnetic resonance (MR) images. The algorithms identify the external brain surface and create a 3D image, showing the fissures and surface convolutions of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brain stem. Images produced by these algorithms also show the morphology of other soft tissue boundaries such as the cerebral ventricular system and the skin of the patient. For the purposes of 3D reconstruction, our experiments show that T1 weighted images give better contrast between the surface of the brain and the cerebral spinal fluid than T2 weighted images. 3D reconstruction of MR data provides a non-invasive procedure for examination of the brain surface and other anatomical features.

Dividing cubes system and method for the display of surface structures contained within the interior region of a solid body

A system for displaying three dimensional surface structures employs the analysis of voxel elements defined by eight cubically adjacent grid locations which are associated with at least one physical property defined throughout a three dimensional body. The physical property measurements may be made with such systems as computerized tomographic x-ray systems, or magnetic resonance imaging devices. Surface structures are defined by a user selected threshhold value such as distinct values for skin and bone in medical diagnostic applications. Selected voxels are subdivided and means are provided for generating signal values associated with intermediate additional grid locations. Means are also provided for generating surface normal vectors associated with these grid locations. The system of the present invention produces a sequence of signals representative of grid locations throughout the object being investigated together with associated surface normal vectors at these locations, the locations lying on a user selected surface. The system provides smooth, high resolution images which particularly useful for medical diagnostic applications and is particularly useful with conventional display processor hardware used for electronic graphics display. The capabilities of the system additionally provide enhanced flexibility and speed for the convenience of interactive users.

System for the simultaneous display of two or more internal surfaces within a solid object

A dual pipeline architecture for a system for preprocessing image data gathered from such systems as magnetic resonance imaging and computer axial tomography scanners. In one simultaneously operable dual pipeline, normal vectors are computed for each voxel element in accordance with the dividing cubes vector generation system. In another pipeline, circuitry is provided for generating surface identification indicia which are associated with unit normal vectors produced by the former pipeline. Data are supplied to a graphics processor for the production of shaded two-dimensional images representative of three-dimensional surfaces from various view angles. The system is particularly useful in medical diagnostic applications and is particularly useful in planning surgical procedures.

System and method for displaying oblique planar cross sections of a solid body using tri-linear interpolation to determine pixel position dataes

A method and apparatus for displaying arbitrary cross-sectional views of a three-dimensional body from a regular array of values of at least one physical property in the interior of the body includes making physical property measurements with such systems as computerized tomographic x-ray systems, or magnetic resonance imaging systems. Cut planes are defined by the user as displacement from, and rotations from, an arbitrary coordinate origin in the data space. An initial plane of pixel positions of arbitrary density is displaced and rotated to correspond to the cut plane. The values for the physical property at the pixel positions are interpolated from the surrounding measurements of actual values. Cross-sectional images are thereby supplied interactively in real time to support, for example, ongoing surgical procedures.

System and method employing pipelined parallel circuit architecture for displaying surface structures of the interior region of a solid body

Arbitrary interior surfaces of a three-dimensional body are displayed from a regular array of values of at least one physical property in the interior of the body. The physical property measurements may be made with systems such as computerized tomographic x-ray, or magnetic resonance imaging. Highly parallel circuits and a highly parallel architecture permit generation of surface views in real time, i.e., sufficiently fast to support ongoing procedures such as surgical operations. These parallel circuits, realizable on large scale integrated circuit chips, perform surface normal calculations, linear interpolations and signal comparisons in simultaneously operating circuit paths which are asynchronously enabled when input data appear.

Combined connectivity and a gray-level morphological filter in magnetic resonance coronary angiography.

A connectivity algorithm combined with a new gray‐level morphological filter dramatically improves the segmentation of tortuous coronary arteries from 3D MRI. Small coronary arteries are segmented from the larger ventricles with a new filter. These blood vessels are segmented from the noise background with connectivity. Coronary angiograms were computed in nine datasets acquired on volunteers with 3D stack of spirals and contrast‐enhanced navigator sequences by both a maximum intensity projection and surface rendering. Surface images provided depth information needed to distinguish branching arteries from crossing veins. Magn Reson Med 43:892–895, 2000.

Magnetic resonance segmentation with the bubble wave algorithm

A new bubble wave algorithm provides automatic segmentation of three-dimensional magnetic resonance images of both the peripheral vasculature and the brain. Simple connectivity algorithms are not reliable in these medical applications because there are unwanted connections through background noise. The bubble wave algorithm restricts connectivity using curvature by testing spherical regions on a propagating active contour to eliminate noise bridges. After the user places seeds in both the selected regions and in the regions that are not desired, the method provides the critical threshold for segmentation using binary search. Today, peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging with a timed contrast bolus. A new blood pool contrast agent MS-325 (Epix Medical) binds to albumen in the blood and provides high-resolution three-dimensional images of both arteries and veins. The bubble wave algorithm provides a means to automatically suppress the veins that obscure the arteries in magnetic resonance angiography. Monitoring brain atrophy is needed for trials of drugs that retard the progression of dementia. The brain volume is measured by placing seeds in both the brain and scalp to find the critical threshold that prevents connections between the brain volume and the scalp. Examples from both three-dimensional magnetic resonance brain and contrast enhanced vascular images were segmented with minimal user intervention.

Interface for a microcomputer‐controlled digital display system

This report describes an interface device which permits a Ramtek GX‐100B digital display system to be controlled by an Intel MDS‐800 microcomputer system, using an Intel direct memory access controller card.