Surface definition technique for clinical imaging

摘要

Surface descriptions are difficult to specify. Though image processing techniques are well established to generate nearly any planar or three-dimensionally curved surface, methods to describe such complex shapes are often disorienting. Even the best intentioned interface for surface description can confuse a seasoned user. This paper introduces a surface definition technique that is simple, accurate and intuitive for the needs of routine medical image analysis. We describe a procedure to define a curved surface based on surface intersection points in a series of parallel images. In this medical context, points selected describe a surface that contains pathology of diagnostic interest. Using this technique diagnostic views are generated that conform to natural anatomic shape, physicians are no longer restricted to orthogonal or even single curve surfaces. This user interface provides analytic descriptions to produce surface views that use a Fourier-shift technique for reconstruction. Surfaces through a volume are produced with resolution equal to that of the original data set. Example images are illustrated.