Apparatus and method for rendering for display forward-looking image data

Apparatus for rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collection device, comprising:

• a data input unit configured to receive the image data from the forward-looking conical section;
• and
• an image data processing unit including a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to:
• generate a nutated projected three-dimensional geometric model of the forward-looking conical section by applying a nutation definition to a three-dimensional geometric model, and
• rasterize the image data in accordance with the nutated projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image for display on a graphical display.

An imaging apparatus that scans and creates an image of a conical forward-looking section of tissue, comprising:

• a transducer that is rotated in a forward-looking orientation for transmitting a signal and receiving image data resulting from interaction of the transmitted signal and tissues it encounters;
• electronic circuitry that processes the received image data;
• and
• an image data processing unit including a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions configured to:
• generate a nutated projected three-dimensional geometric model of the forward-looking conical section by applying a nutation definition to a three-dimensional geometric model, and
• rasterize the image data in accordance with the nutated projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image for display on a graphical display.

A method for displaying image data that has been acquired by an image data collecting device from a conical forward-looking section of tissue, comprising:

• receiving the image data from the forward-looking conical section;
• and
• displaying the image data by orienting scan lines of the image data in their correct geometric perspective on a surface of a three-dimensional geometric model, the displaying step comprising:
• generating a nutated projected three-dimensional geometric model of the forward-looking conical section, wherein the generating step comprises applying a nutation definition to tilt a three-dimensional geometric model corresponding to the forward-looking conical section;
• and
• rasterizing the image data in accordance with the nutated projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image for display on a graphical display.