System and method for analyzing and imaging and enhanced three-dimensional volume data set using one or more attributes

A program storage device readable by a machine embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of imaging an output 3D volume data set, the 3D volume data set including a plurality of voxels, each voxel defined by a 3D coordinate and a data value, the method comprising:

• selecting a plurality of spatially coincident 3D volume data sets wherein each of said 3D volume data sets is related to at least one of a corresponding plurality of attributes;
• selecting one or more selectable criteria for comparing with data values of one or more of said plurality of spatially coincident data sets;
• a first preselected data value at a coordinate corresponding with said respective data value in said output 3D volume data set when said data value meets said one or more selectable criteria;
• and
• displaying at least one section of said output 3D volume data set.

A method for displaying an enhanced 3D volume data set related to one of a plurality of attributes using a 3D volume data set comprising a plurality of voxels, each voxel comprising a data value and being positioned at a 3D location in said 3D volume data set, said method comprising:

• assigning each data value a data value range, said data value range being related to one of said plurality of attributes;
• selecting a criteria and comparing each data value with said criteria;
• inserting a preselected data value at a position corresponding with said data value in said enhanced 3D volume data set when said data value meets said criteria;
• inserting said data value at a position corresponding with said respective data value in said enhanced 3D volume data set when said data value does not meet said criteria;
• and
• displaying at least a section of said enhanced 3D volume data set.

A method for rendering a combo volume derived from a plurality of 3D volume data sets, comprising:

• selecting a base 3D volume data set, said base 3D volume data set comprising voxels having a 3D coordinate and a base dataword, said base dataword being related to a first attribute;
• selecting a second 3D volume data set, said second 3D volume data set comprising voxels having a spatially coincident coordinate with respect to said base 3D volume data set and a second dataword related to a second attribute;
• selecting voxels in said second 3D volume data set based on a first preselected data value range;
• rendering said combo volume by replacing said base dataword in said base 3D volume data set with a first preselected data value related to said second attribute when said respective voxel in said second 3D volume data set is within said first preselected data value range;
• and
• displaying at least a portion of said combo volume.