Method and apparatus for visualizing 3D image data from tomographic imaging modalities

A method for visualizing 3D image data from tomographic imaging modalities using a rendering technique in which every pixel is calculated by integrating or summing along respectively one ray through a volume surrounded by the 3D image data, the method comprising:

• additionally introducing a peeling function into the integration or summation, by which, in the integration or summation, the 3D image data on a respective ray only contributes with its full data value to reducing the optical transparency beyond a value of an optical skin depth;
• and
• selecting the peeling function such that, in a transition region before the value of the optical skin depth is reached, the 3D image data on the ray still contributes to reducing the optical transparency with a fraction of its full data value such that there is a smooth profile, generated by the peeling function, when an outer layer is peeled off, wherein the peeling function PF(d) is selected as a function of the optical skin depth d(l) such that PF(d)=min(d/c;
• 1)1/e, wherein c is the peeling off depth and e corresponds to a value generating a smooth profile.

An apparatus for visualizing 3D image data from tomographic imaging modalities using a rendering technique in which every pixel is calculated by integrating or summing along respectively one ray through a volume surrounded by the 3D image data, comprising:

• a storage device to store the 3D image data;
• and
• a computational unit to carry out the integration or summation, wherein the computational unit is designed to additionally include a peeling function in the integration or summation, by which, in the integration or summation, the 3D image data on a respective ray only contributes with its full data value to reducing the optical transparency beyond a value of an optical skin depth, wherein the peeling function is selected such that, in a transition region before the value of the optical skin depth is reached, the 3D image data on the ray still contributes to reducing the optical transparency with a fraction of its full data value such that there is a smooth profile, generated by the peeling function, when an outer layer is peeled off, the optical skin depth being
• d
• ⁡
• (
• l
• )
• =
• ∫
• 0
• l
• ⁢
• TF
• a
• ⁡
• (
• s
• ⁡
• (
• x
• )
• )
• ⁢
• ⁢
• ⅆ
• x
• ,
• wherein TFa(s) is an absorption component of a transfer function for visualizing the 3D image data.