Method and system for volume rendering of medical images

A method for generating images including one or more anatomical objects imaged in a volume data set comprising the steps:

• obtaining volume data from a 3D or 4D ultrasound imaging system, wherein said volume data represents structures inside a body of a subject;
• mapping data values in said volume data of selected positions to a color and opacity;
• obtaining at least one predetermined skeletal similarity value for the selected positions in said volume data, wherein the predetermined skeletal similarity value is associated with bone;
• modifying opacity for each particular selected position based on the predetermined skeletal similarity value;
• and
• generating one or more images including the positions representing bone.

A system for generating medical images including one or more anatomical objects imaged in a volume data set comprising:

• a display for displaying medical images;
• and
• a controller unit coupled to the display and being configured to:
• obtain volume data from a 3D or 4D ultrasound imaging system, wherein said volume data represents structures inside a body of a subject;
• map data values in said volume data to a color and opacity;
• obtain at least one predetermined tissue similarity value for the selected positions in said volume data, wherein the tissue similarity value is associated with a specific tissue or structure;
• modify opacity for each particular selected position based on the predetermined tissue similarity value;
• and
• provide data for generation of one or more medical images including the positions representing the selected tissue or structure.

A system for generating medical images including one or more anatomical objects imaged in a volume data set comprising:

• a display for displaying medical images;
• and
• a controller unit coupled to the display and being configured to:
• obtain volume data from a 3D or 4D ultrasound imaging system, wherein said volume data represents structures inside a body of a subject;
• map data values in said volume data to a color and opacity;
• obtain at least one predetermined skeletal similarity value for the selected positions in said volume data, wherein the skeletal similarity value is associated with bone;
• modify opacity for each particular selected position based on the predetermined skeletal similarity value;
• and
• provide data for generation of one or more medical images including the positions representing bone.