Apparatus and method for visualizing digital breast tomosynthesis and other volumetric images

A method comprising:

• providing a server including a graphics processing unit, where the server:
• (A) receives a 3-D volumetric data set of a tissue of a selected patient reconstructed from a plurality of 2-D projection images;
• (B) computes a first 2-D projection image from the 3-D volumetric data set based on a first viewing direction;
• (C) computes a second 2-D projection image from the 3-D volumetric data set based on a second viewing direction, where the second viewing direction is not the first viewing direction;
• (D) computes a third 2-D projection image from the 3-D volumetric data set based on a third viewing direction, where the third viewing direction is neither the first viewing direction nor the second viewing direction;
• and
• (E) sends to a client computer two or more of the first 2-D projection image, the second 2-D projection image and the third 2-D projection image to be displayed on two or more virtual viewports.

A method comprising:

• providing a server including a graphics processing unit, where the server:
• (A) receives a plurality of measured 2-D projection images;
• (B) reconstructs a 3-D volumetric data set of a tissue of a selected patient from the plurality of measured 2-D projection images;
• (B) computes a first 2-D projection image from the 3-D volumetric data set at a first viewing direction;
• (C) computes a second 2-D projection image from the 3-D volumetric data set based on a second viewing direction, where the second viewing direction is not the first viewing direction;
• and
• (D) sends to a client computer the first 2-D projection image and the second 2-D projection image, where the first 2-D projection image and the second 2-D projection image are adapted for display on two virtual viewports.