# US 12,217,855 B1 · Method and apparatus for altering 3D datasets

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,217,855 B1
- Document ID: US12217855B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 18/369,146
- Filed: 2023-09-16
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2018-02-09
- Applicants: Robert Edwin Douglas; David Byron Douglas
- Inventors: Robert Edwin Douglas; David Byron Douglas
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12217855B1

## CPC

- A61B 34/10: Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
- G16H 30/40: for processing medical images, e.g. editing
- G06F 30/27: using machine learning, e.g. artificial intelligence, neural networks, support vector machines [SVM] or training a model
- G06N 20/00: Machine learning
- G06T 15/08: Volume rendering
- G06T 17/10: Constructive solid geometry [CSG] using solid primitives, e.g. cylinders, cubes
- G06T 19/20: Editing of three-dimensional [3D] images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
- G09B 9/00: Simulators for teaching or training purposes (for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; {protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131})
- G16H 50/50: for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
- A61B 2017/00792: {Plastic surgery}
- A61B 2017/00796: {Breast surgery}
- A61B 2034/104: {Modelling the effect of the tool, e.g. the effect of an implanted prosthesis or for predicting the effect of ablation or burring}
- A61B 2034/105: {Modelling of the patient, e.g. for ligaments or bones}
- G06N 3/0475: Generative networks
- G06T 2210/41: Medical
- G06T 2219/2012: Colour editing, changing, or manipulating; Use of colour codes
- G06T 2219/2016: Rotation, translation, scaling
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06N: COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B)

## Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing a simulation of a change of a three-dimensional dataset of a physical item is disclosed. Voxels within the three-dimensional dataset are modified to mimic the change. Some embodiments comprise using artificial intelligence algorithm to determine the change. Simulations can be performed over multiple time points.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of altering an imaging examination comprising:
using a three-dimensional dataset of a portion of a physical item,
wherein said three-dimensional dataset is comprised of voxels, and
wherein said voxels in said three-dimensional dataset have numerical values;
modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset to generate a simulated change of said physical item comprising:
wherein said modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset comprises altering numerical values of voxels corresponding to said physical item of said three-dimensional dataset,
wherein said altering said numerical values of voxels corresponding to said physical item of said three-dimensional dataset is performed in accordance with said simulated change of said physical item,
wherein said modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset creates a modified three-dimensional dataset, and
wherein said modified three-dimensional dataset comprises said simulated change; and
displaying said modified three-dimensional dataset to a user.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising performing additional modifications of numerical values of voxels of said modified three-dimensional dataset to generate a second modified three-dimensional dataset wherein said second modified three-dimensional dataset simulates a different time point.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein at said different time point, an additional change occurs.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said change comprises alterations to said physical item's structure.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said change is performed in response to a geo-registered tool.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said change is performed in response to a virtual tools.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said change is performed in response to a dissection.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said change comprises changes over time due to age.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said change comprises pathology.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising creating new voxels corresponding to said simulated change of said physical item.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising eliminating voxels corresponding to said simulated change of said physical item.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said simulated change of said physical item is based on a mechanical property of said physical item comprising elasticity, ductility or hardness.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said simulated change of said physical item is based on a physical property of said physical item comprising density or thermal conductivity.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein a set of voxels is transferred to a virtual bucket for analysis.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said simulated change of said physical item is in accordance with a strategic deformation point.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said simulated change of said physical item is performed by an artificial intelligence algorithm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said simulated change of said physical item comprises changing said physical item's position and an orientation.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein said simulated change of said physical item comprises changing said physical item's shape and size.

### Claim 19

A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable code thereon, the medium comprising instructions for altering an imaging examination comprising:
using a three-dimensional dataset of a portion of a physical item,
wherein said three-dimensional dataset is comprised of voxels, and
wherein said voxels in said three-dimensional dataset have numerical values;
modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset to generate a simulated change of said physical item comprising:
wherein said modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset comprises altering numerical values of voxels corresponding to said physical item of said three-dimensional dataset,
wherein said altering said numerical values of voxels corresponding to said physical item of said three-dimensional dataset is performed in accordance with said simulated change of said physical item,
wherein said modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset creates a modified three-dimensional dataset, and
wherein said modified three-dimensional dataset comprises said simulated change; and
displaying said modified three-dimensional dataset to a user.

### Claim 20

A computer system comprising:
a memory;
a processor;
a communications interface;
an interconnection mechanism coupling the memory, the processor and the communications interface; and
wherein the memory is encoded with an application, that when performed on the processor, provides a process for simulating physiology in an imaging examination, the process causing the computer system to perform the operations of:
using a three-dimensional dataset of a portion of a physical item,
wherein said three-dimensional dataset is comprised of voxels, and
wherein said voxels in said three-dimensional dataset have numerical values;
modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset to generate a simulated change of said physical item comprising:
wherein said modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset comprises altering numerical values of voxels corresponding to said physical item of said three-dimensional dataset,
wherein said altering said numerical values of voxels corresponding to said physical item of said three-dimensional dataset is performed in accordance with said simulated change of said physical item,
wherein said modifying voxels of said three-dimensional dataset creates a modified three-dimensional dataset, and
wherein said modified three-dimensional dataset comprises said simulated change; and
displaying said modified three-dimensional dataset to a user.