Method and system for high resolution 3D visualization of mammography images

A method for generating at least one three-dimensional image of an object volume, the method comprising:

• obtaining tomosynthesis data of the object volume;
• and,
• generating the at least one three-dimensional image by applying a selected three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique responsive to a user input for a desired display format to the tomosynthesis data;
• wherein the 3D visualization technique comprises performing at least one of opacity ray casting, two-dimensional or three-dimensional texture mapping, maximum intensity value projection, minimum intensity value projection, composite ray casting and surface rendering to the tomosynthesis data.

A method for generating at least one three-dimensional (3D) image of an object volume, said method comprising:

• positioning a radiation source in an elevated position with the object volume disposed between the radiation source and a radiation detector;
• irradiating the object volume with radiation at a plurality of radiating positions as the radiation source is allowed to move under the influence of gravity from an elevated position to a lower position;
• generating a plurality of spaced-apart planar images through the object volume from a plurality of projection radiographs which are derived by detecting radiation passing through the object at the plurality of radiating positions with the radiation detector, the plurality of spaced-apart planar images collectively forming a data volume;
• applying a selected three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique to the data volume to generate the at least one three-dimensional image of the object volume.

A system for generating at least one three-dimensional (3D) image of an object volume, comprising:

• an imaging device for irradiating the volume with radiation at a plurality of radiating positions and for generating a plurality of spaced-apart planar images through the object volume from a plurality of projection radiographs which are derived by detecting radiation at the plurality of radiating positions;
• and,
• an image processing device coupled to the imaging device for generating at least one three-dimensional image of the object volume based on the spaced-apart planar images by applying a selected three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique responsive to a user input for a desired display format to tomosynthesis data obtained for the object volume;
• wherein the selected 3D visualization technique comprises performing at least one of opacity ray casting, two-dimensional or three-dimensional texture mapping, maximum intensity value projection, minimum intensity value projection, composite ray casting and surface rendering to the tomosynthesis data.