US 6,816,607 B2Granted

System for modeling static and dynamic three dimensional anatomical structures by 3-D models

AssigneeSiemens Corporate Research, Inc.

InventorsThomas O'Donnell, Alok Gupta, Marie-Pierre Jolly

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a system of modeling a three dimensional target object which is represented by a plurality of cross-sectional images in order to provide a representative corresponding three dimensional model. The invention selects an initial model from a plurality of available initial models. This selection involves identifying an initial model based on physical similarity to the target object and then superimposing an initial model upon the target object, for each of the plurality of cross-sectional images. A determination is then made of an intersection contour of the initial model and a cross-sectional image of the target object and the determined intersection contour is refined in order to more closely delineate the target object. By sub-sampling points which represent the refined determined intersection contour, the invention obtains a sub-sampled contour dataset. The initial model is then adjusted towards the sub-samples contour to obtain a representative three dimensional model of the target object.

Claims21

Dependent claims

In an image processing system, a method of modeling a three dimensional target object, varying in shape between different operational phases and represented by a plurality of cross-sectional images, to provide a representative corresponding dynamic three dimensional model, comprising the steps of:

for a first shape of said target object corresponding to a first position of the target object during its operational phase,
approximately superimposing an initial model upon said target object, the initial model estimating a position of an inner and outer wall of the target object;
for each of said plurality of cross-sectional images,
determining an intersection contour of said initial model and a cross-sectional image of said target object;
refining said determined intersection contour to more closely delineate said target object;
and
dynamically adjusting said initial model toward said refined determined intersection contour to provide a representative three dimensional model of said target object in motion;
and
for a second shape of said target object, said second shape of said target object representing said target object at a second position during its operational phase,
repeating the previous steps;
and
for subsequent shapes of the target object, each subsequent shape representing said target object at a subsequent position during its operational phase,
repeating the previous steps until the target object has reached a desired position in the operational phase.

10 more elements

for a first shape of said target object corresponding to a first position of the target object during its operational phase,
approximately superimposing an initial model upon said target object, the initial model estimating a position of an inner and outer wall of the target object;
for each of said plurality of cross-sectional images,
determining an intersection contour of said initial model and a cross-sectional image of said target object;
refining said determined intersection contour to more closely delineate said target object;
sub-sampling points representing said refined determined intersection contour to provide a sub-sampled contour dataset;
and
dynamically adjusting said initial model toward said sub-sampled contour to provide a representative three dimensional model of said target object in motion;
and
for a second shape of said target object, said second shape of said target object representing said target object at a second position during its operational phase,
repeating the previous steps;
and
for subsequent shapes of the target object, each subsequent shape representing said target object at a subsequent position during its operational phase,
repeating the previous steps until the target object has reached a desired position in the operational phase.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.