Organ wall analysis with ray-casting

An apparatus for organ wall analysis comprising:

• distance mapping means for providing a three-dimensional (3D) distance map of a segmented outer surface of an organ;
• projecting means for providing a maximum intensity projection (MIP) substantially normal to the segmented outer surface for each of a plurality of rays;
• and
• collecting means for forming a ray collection by casting each of the plurality of rays from a center of the organ through the respective MIP to the segmented outer surface.

A system for organ wall analysis, comprising:

• a processor;
• an imaging adapter in signal communication with the processor for receiving organ scan data indicative of an organ;
• a distance mapping unit in signal communication with the processor for providing a three-dimensional (3D) distance map of a segmented outer surface of an organ;
• and
• a ray-casting unit in signal communication with the processor for providing a maximum intensity projection (MIP) substantially normal to the segmented outer surface for each of a plurality of rays, and for forming a ray collection by casting each of the plurality of rays from a center of the organ through the respective MIP to the segmented outer surface.

A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform program steps for organ wall analysis, the program steps comprising:

• providing a three-dimensional (3D) distance map of a segmented outer surface of an organ;
• providing a maximum intensity projection (MIP) substantially normal to the segmented outer surface for each of a plurality of rays;
• and
• forming a ray collection by casting each of the plurality of rays from a center of the organ through the respective MIP to the segmented outer surface.