System and method for three-dimensional image rendering and analysis

#The present invention relates to the art of diagnostic imaging, and, in particular, to methods and systems for conducting highly enhanced three-dimensional reproduction and analysis of three-dimensional images and diagnosis and treatment related thereto.

#The present application claims priority to two (2) provisional applications identified as follows: U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/196,208, filed Apr. 11, 2000; and U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/253,974, filed Nov. 29, 2000. Each of these earlier filed provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference.

#It is known in the art of image diagnostic systems and methods to scan objects found in a host patient, retrieve signals resulting from such scanning, and process the signals to obtain information for possible diagnosis and treatment. To date, much of the effort has been directed to treatment of such data in two dimensions, and analysis has to a certain extent been constrained by two-dimensional limitations. Consequently, professionals relying on such information have, similarly, been somewhat constrained in their ability to create diagnostic and possible treatment models.

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of Beer's Law in a homogeneous material;

#FIG. 2 is an illustration of Beer's Law in a heterogeneous material;

#FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison of screening and diagnostic CT protocols;

#The present invention relates to methods and systems for conducting three-dimensional image analysis and diagnosis and possible treatment modalities relating thereto. For the purpose of disclosing the present invention and the present preferred embodiments thereof, the detailed description has been broken down by subject matter in order to more clearly explicate the various aspects of the invention. Headings have been provided for the sake of convenience and focus of subject matter, but are not meant in any way to limit the scope of applicability of the subject matter found in one section. Indeed, each technical aspect is generally considered germane to subject matter found in other sections. Thus, one must read all of the sections as related to the extent that the technology disclosed therein can be applied to the technology found in other sections.

#Furthermore in this regard, a certain degree of redundancy has been built into the detailed description in order to provide as much as possible overview and correlation of the technology between sections found herein.

#A system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention can include a scanner, a processor, a memory, a display device, input devices, such as a mouse and keyboard, and an internal bus connecting the various components together. The system can be coupled to a communication medium, such as a modem connected to a phone line or a wireless network, or an Internet connection. Since the components of a computer and how they operate are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, they will not be discussed here.