Visualization of volume-rendered data with occluding contour multi-planar-reformats

An apparatus for visualizing volume rendered image data relative to a viewing vector, comprising:

• a processor;
• a detection unit in signal communication with the processor for detecting individual occluding contours of opacified structures in the image data;
• a resampling unit in signal communication with the processor for generating curved multi-planar-reformat (MPR) resamplings that follow the individual occluding contours of the opacified structures;
• and
• a display adapter in signal communication with the processor for displaying a region responsive to the viewing vector and at least one of the individual occluding contours,
• wherein the processor is disposed for fitting a three-dimensional curve to each of the occluding contours to create a set of occluding curves, where each point on an occluding curve is associated with a surface normal of an opacified object that is orthogonal to the viewing vector.

An apparatus for visualizing volume rendered image data relative to a viewing vector, comprising:

• rendering means for receiving a volume rendered image, including distance values and surface normals for every pixel that is opacified;
• vector resolving means for gathering all opacified pixels that are orthogonal to the viewing vector into a group of occluding points;
• point separation means for separating the group of occluding points into individual occluding contours;
• curve fitting means for fitting a three-dimensional curve to each of the occluding contours to create a set of occluding curves, where each point on an occluding curve is associated with a surface normal of an opacified object that is orthogonal to the viewing vector;
• and
• display means for displaying a region responsive to the viewing vector and at least one of the individual occluding contours.

A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform program steps for visualizing volume rendered images relative to a viewing vector, the program steps comprising:

• receiving a volume rendered image, including distance values and surface normals for every pixel that is opacified;
• gathering all opacified pixels that are orthogonal to the viewing vector into a group of occluding points;
• separating the group of occluding points into individual occluding contours;
• and
• fitting a three-dimensional curve to each of the occluding contours to create a set of occluding curves, where each point on an occluding curve is associated with a surface normal of the opacified object that is orthogonal to the viewing vector.