System and method for performing computerized simulations for image-guided procedures using a patient specific model

A system for simulating an image-guided procedure, the system comprising:

• a model generation unit to produce a digital image-based model of an anatomical structure in a patient based on received medical image data obtained from the patient and to produce, based on the image-based model and data representing anatomical structures not included in the medical image data, an extended model that represents the anatomical structure in the patient and adjacent anatomical regions not included in the medical image data, wherein the digital image-based model includes a first 3D polygonal mesh representing the medical image data and wherein producing the extended model comprises:
• automatically selecting from a set of pre-designed generic 3D polygonal meshes a second 3D polygonal mesh representing anatomical structures not included in the medical image data, and
• positioning the second 3D polygonal mesh in alignment with a boundary of the first 3D polygonal mesh;
• and
• a simulation unit to display a graphical representation of the extended model and to perform a computerized simulation of an image-guided procedure using the extended model.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computing device result in:

• producing a digital image-based model of an anatomical structure in a patient based on medical image data obtained from the patient, the digital image-based model including a first 3D polygonal mesh representing the medical image data;
• producing, based on the image-based model and data representing anatomical structures not included in the medical image data, an extended model that represents the anatomical structure and adjacent anatomical regions not included in the medical image data, wherein producing the extended model comprises:
• automatically selecting from a set of pre-designed 3D generic polygonal meshes a second 3D polygonal mesh representing anatomical structures not included in the medical image data, and
• positioning the second 3D polygonal mesh in alignment with a boundary of the first 3D polygonal mesh;
• displaying a graphical representation of the extended model;
• and
• performing a computerized simulation of an image-guided procedure using the extended model.