Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-16
2001-06-26
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2772)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252599
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image display method and an image display apparatus in which surface and internal conditions of an examined object can be simultaneously displayed.
A method conventionally practiced in diagnostic medical applications comprises: acquiring data for the human internal tissue by image information acquisition means such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus or a magnetic resonance image diagnostic apparatus; storing once the acquired data in image information storage means such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disc, an optical disc or a semiconductor memory; randomly accessing the image information storage means to reconstruct an appropriate tomographic image; and displaying the image on display means such as a CRT.
The prior art includes a technique in which an X-ray CT apparatus or the like is employed to scan a plurality of slices to acquire a plurality of tomographic images which are used to produce an image closely resembling one viewed by endoscope observation. The technique has been disclosed by the present Applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-187185 (1996).
In the above conventional technique, the surface condition of the internal wall etc. of the internal body tissue such as intestine tissue is represented when a three-dimensional (3D) image as viewed from a virtual endoscope is displayed. However, the combined representation thereof with information on the internal of tissue such as information on the internal of tissues composing the wall surface of the intestine, to continue with the above example, has not been possible.
That is, there is a problem that only the surface condition can be represented, but the internal condition which allows physicians to recognize, for example, how deep a tumor reaches inside the tissue, cannot be represented.
Moreover, although the above method allows an operator to arbitrarily change the field-of-view (FOV) centerline direction, it is difficult for the operator to spatially recognize the current FOV centerline direction, because reference images (axial, sagittal and coronal images) are not displayed synchronously with the change of the FOV centerline direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display method and an image display apparatus in which surface and internal conditions can be simultaneously displayed.
It is another object of the invention to provide an image display method and an image display apparatus in which the surface and internal conditions can be simultaneously displayed, and reference images (axial, sagittal and coronal images) can also be displayed synchronously with the change of the FOV centerline direction.
In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides an image display method comprising the steps of: producing a three-dimensional (3D) image representing a wall surface of 3D tissue as seen from a viewpoint lying in the internal space formed by the 3D tissue; producing a tomographic image at a cross-sectional location defined as lying near the viewpoint or a two-dimensional (2D) image obtained by processing the tomographic image; and displaying the tomographic image or the 2D image juxtaposed or superimposed with the 3D image.
By using the image display method in accordance with the first aspect, a 3D image (e.g., an endoscope mode 3D image) representing 3D tissue as seen from a viewpoint is displayed, and simultaneously, a tomographic image near the viewpoint or a 2D image obtained by processing the tomographic image is displayed. Thus, the surface and internal conditions can be simultaneously displayed.
In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides an image display apparatus comprising: 3D image production means for producing a 3D image representing a wall surface of 3D tissue as seen from a viewpoint lying in the internal space formed by the 3D tissue; 2D image production means for producing a tomographic image at a cross-sectional location defined as lying near the viewpoint or a two-dimensional (2D) image obtained by processing the tomographic image; and image display means for displaying the tomographic image or the 2D image juxtaposed or superimposed with the 3D image.
By using the image display apparatus in accordance with the second aspect, the image display method in accordance with the first aspect can be suitably practiced. Thus, the surface and internal conditions, for example, of a tumor developed on the wall of the large intestine, can be simultaneously displayed.
In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the second aspect, wherein the 3D image production means produces the 3D image from data sets for a plurality of tomography images involving the 3D tissue.
In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the third aspect, wherein the 3D image production means defines the viewpoint and a field-of-view (FOV) centerline direction from the viewpoint, or additionally, with a solid angle from the viewpoint to produce the 3D image.
In accordance with a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the fourth aspect, wherein the 3D image production means employs one of the plurality of tomographic images to define the viewpoint.
In accordance with a sixth aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the third aspect, wherein the 2D image production means employs one of the plurality of tomographic images.
In accordance with a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the third aspect, wherein the 2D image production means produces the 2D image by performing an interpolation calculation on the tomographic image.
In accordance with an eighth aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the fourth aspect, wherein the 2D image is perpendicular to the FOV centerline direction.
In accordance with a ninth aspect, the present invention provides the image display apparatus as described regarding the fourth aspect, wherein, when at least one of the viewpoint, the FOV centerline direction and the solid angle is changed, the 3D image production means and the 2D image production means produce a new 3D image and a new 2D image, respectively, according to the change.
In accordance with a tenth aspect, the present invention provides an image display method comprising the steps of: producing a 3D image representing a wall surface of 3D tissue as seen from a viewpoint lying in the internal space formed by the 3D tissue; producing a tomographic image in a plane (referred to as a synchro axial plane hereinbelow) perpendicular to the FOV centerline direction and containing a cross-sectional location defined as lying at or near the viewpoint, a tomographic image in a plane orthogonal to the synchro axial plane and containing the FOV centerline, or a 2D image obtained by processing the tomographic images; and displaying the tomographic images or the 2D image juxtaposed or superimposed with the 3D image.
By using the image display method in accordance with the tenth aspect, a 3D image (e.g., an endoscope mode 3D image) representing 3D tissue as seen from a viewpoint is displayed, and simultaneously, a tomographic image (which represents an axial image) in a plane perpendicular to a FOV centerline direction at that time, a tomographic image (comprising an image which represents a sagittal image or coronal image) in a plane orthogonal to that plane, or a 2D image obtained by processing the tomographic images is displayed. That is, reference images (axial, sagittal and coronal images) can be displayed synchronously with the change of the FOV centerline direction.
In accordance with an eleventh aspect, the present invention provides an image display apparatus comprising: 3D image production means for producing a 3D image represe
Makoto Gono
Manabu Minami
Natsuko Sato
Shogo Azemoto
GE Yokogawa Medical Systems Limited
Kojima Moonray
Vo Cliff N.
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