JP2001101450A - Three-dimensional image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-dimensional(3D) image display device capable of intuitive operation by providing a means for mutually facilitating setting of an MPR image and a 3D image and grasping of spatial positions concerning the device for displaying the 3D image while using a 3D boxel having pixel values corresponding to the physical characteristics of a testee. SOLUTION: The MPR image and the 3D MPR image can be displayed by providing a means for setting three orthogonal planes into a 3D image boxel space with the 3D image, which performs arbitrary rotating and arbitrary moving, as a reference, means for displaying the pixel value of a boxel crossing these three orthogonal planes on the MPR image and means for displaying the 3D MPR image by mapping the MPR image on three orthogonal planes at a position corresponding to the space having the same coordinate system as the 3D image boxel. Besides, by using the 3D image and the 3D MPR image displayed on a display screen as guide, the 3D device capable of mutually intuitively setting the 3D image and the MPR image can be realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image display device for displaying a spatial distribution of physical properties of a subject as a three-dimensional image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since accurate cross-sectional image data representing physical properties of a human body has been obtained by an X-ray CT apparatus, a three-dimensional stereoscopic image has been obtained by using a plurality of cross-sectional image data photographed at different cross-sectional positions. Has been done. Particularly, recently, a helical scan X-ray CT apparatus and a cone beam X-ray CT apparatus have been put into practical use, so that a more precise three-dimensional stereoscopic image can be reconstructed.

In a three-dimensional display method of a medical image, a subject is generally treated as a three-dimensional array of voxels having pixel values corresponding to physical properties. The main display methods are surface rendering, which extracts the boundary surface of the object that constitutes the object and displays the shape of the boundary surface, and voxels that have opacity corresponding to the physical properties of the object. There is a volume rendering method. There is also a cross section conversion method (MPR) for displaying a cross section of a three-dimensional array of voxels.

In the surface rendering method, an area including an object is extracted by threshold processing for specifying an upper limit and a lower limit of a pixel value of the object. By performing a shadowing process and a projection process on the surface of this region, the surface of the target object is displayed as a three-dimensional image.

In the volume rendering method, an object is treated as a voxel having opacity and color information corresponding to pixel values, and a shadowing process and a projection process called ray casting are performed on the voxel. Display as the original image.

In the cross-section conversion method (MPR), for example, three planes orthogonal to a three-dimensional array of voxels are set, and a cross-sectional image of the plane is created.

In many cases, detailed observation of many directions and many cross sections is performed while performing arbitrary rotation and arbitrary movement on a three-dimensional image created by a surface rendering method or a volume rendering method. Therefore, it is necessary to freely rotate and move the three-dimensional image. Further, when the three-dimensional image is rotated or moved, it is necessary to accurately grasp the angle and position at which the three-dimensional image is observed. Therefore, a user interface that guides the rotation and movement of the three-dimensional image in an easy-to-understand manner is required.

In the MPR, since the setting of the plane is simple, a cross-sectional image of a plane parallel to the CT image and two planes orthogonal to the CT image,
That is, an axial image, a sagittal image, and a coronal image are often created. However, there is a clinical need to observe a cross-sectional image of an arbitrary surface called an oblique image. There is also a problem that it is difficult to understand the mutual positional relationship between the cross-sectional images of the three orthogonal planes. Therefore, a method for easily setting any three planes is required. In addition, a display method that allows easy understanding of the mutual positional relationship between the three cross sections is required.

[0009]

A three-dimensional image using a three-dimensional array of voxels having pixel values corresponding to physical properties can provide deeper spatial information than that obtained by observing a two-dimensional image. However, knowledge and experience are still required to grasp spatial information. Therefore,
There is a need for a means for freely and easily setting the position and direction of the three-dimensional image and a new method for grasping the current position and direction from various angles. In addition, understanding of spatial information is deepened by using three-dimensional images, but in order to understand deeply, it is required that related two-dimensional information can be easily referred to. In MPR, there is a clinical need to observe a tomographic image of an arbitrary plane, but setting an arbitrary plane generally requires a complicated operation. Therefore, a method for easily setting any three planes is required. In addition, a display method is required in which the mutual positional relationship of the three cross-sectional images can be easily understood.
In this way, in order to make the 3D image more useful, the operator can freely set the position and direction of the object of interest, and intuitively grasp the position and direction of the currently displayed 3D image. There is a need for a versatile way of doing things.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is directed to a three-dimensional image display device using three-dimensional voxels having pixel values corresponding to physical properties of a subject. , Means for setting three orthogonal planes in an image three-dimensional voxel space, means for displaying a pixel value of a voxel crossing the three orthogonal planes as a cross-sectional image, and means for displaying an MPR image on the three orthogonal planes in a three-dimensional image. Means for displaying an MPR three-dimensional image by mapping to a corresponding position in a space having the same coordinate system as the voxel. This makes it possible to stereoscopically display three MPR images as a three-dimensional image.

According to the present invention, in order to easily set the three orthogonal planes of the MPR to an arbitrary desired plane, the three orthogonal planes of the arbitrary rotation and arbitrary movement are used as a reference in the image three-dimensional voxel space. Means for setting a plane is provided. This makes it possible to display an MPR image at an arbitrary angle by a simple operation.

In the present invention, a three-dimensional image or an MPR three-dimensional image displayed on a display screen is used as a guide for setting a display angle between the three-dimensional image and the MPR three-dimensional image.
This facilitates setting of the display angles of the three-dimensional image and the MPR three-dimensional image.

According to the present invention, a three-orthogonal plane based on an image coordinate system based on an image three-dimensional voxel and / or a three-orthogonal plane based on a three-dimensional image subjected to arbitrary rotation and arbitrary movement is defined. , 3D image and / or M
Displayed simultaneously with the PR three-dimensional image. This facilitates setting of the display angle and the display position of the three-dimensional image to be displayed and the MPR three-dimensional image. It is easy to grasp the position information of the image coordinate system and the relative coordinate system.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a three-dimensional image display device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. The data collection unit 1 is, for example, an X-ray CT
The apparatus is a part that irradiates X-rays from around the subject and measures the amount of transmitted X-rays to collect projection data. In this embodiment, the case where the data acquisition unit 1 is an X-ray CT apparatus will be described. However, the present invention also functions in the case of another apparatus such as an MR apparatus.

In this embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus of an electron beam scanning system is shown as an example. The electron beam 13 emitted from the electron gun 12 is controlled to scan on the X-ray target 11 arranged annularly around the subject. The X-ray generated by the X-ray target passes through a cross section of the subject lying on the bed 16 and is converted into a current by the X-ray detector 14. The output of the X-ray detector is converted into digital data by the data collection circuit 15. By repeatedly performing electron beam scanning while moving the bed 16, data of a plurality of cross sections of the subject is collected. The reconstruction processing unit 2 performs pre-processing, reconstruction processing, and post-processing on the data to create image data. This image data represents a spatial distribution of CT values corresponding to the X-ray transmission coefficient of the subject.

The reconstruction processor 2 is a data processor including a high-speed processor having a function of reconstructing projection data. The three-dimensional image processing unit 3 is a data processing device having a function of reconstructing a three-dimensional image. These functions may be integrated or separated. The data storage device 21 has a function of storing the image data obtained by the reconstruction operation processing unit 2.

The three-dimensional image processing unit 3 includes a reconstruction operation processing unit 2
A three-dimensional image is reconstructed using the image data obtained by the above. The image data obtained by the reconstruction operation processing unit 2 may be used directly, the image data stored in the data storage device 21 may be used, or the image data stored in an offline medium may be used.

The image display device 4 includes a three-dimensional image display area 4
1, an MPR three-dimensional image display area 42, an orthogonal MPR image display area 43, 44, 45, and a setting panel for setting parameters.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an image coordinate system and an object used in this embodiment. Reference numeral 51 denotes an Xi-Yi plane of an image coordinate system based on the image plane of the CT image, and 52 denotes a Yi-Zi plane of the image coordinate system. 53, 54
The figure shows an image three-dimensional voxel region formed by stacking CT images having image planes parallel to the Xi-Yi plane in the Zi direction. 55 is the Xi-Yi plane of the subject, and 56 is the Yi-Zi plane of the subject.

FIG. 3 shows an image display section of the image apparatus. 10
Reference numerals 1, 102, and 103 are areas for displaying three orthogonal images of MPR. 104 is an area for displaying a three-dimensional image, 105
Is an area for displaying an MPR three-dimensional image. Reference numeral 111 denotes a frame indicating an image three-dimensional voxel region corresponding to 53 and 54 in FIG. Reference numeral 112 denotes a three-dimensional image of the subject corresponding to 55 and 56 in FIG. An MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113 corresponding to 53 and 54 in FIG. 2 is indicated by a frame. Image 3D voxel region and MP
The R three-dimensional voxel area is the same area. 114 is M
3 shows a PR three-dimensional image.

The image three-dimensional voxel region 111 in the three-dimensional display region 104 and the MPR three-dimensional voxel region 113 in the MPR three-dimensional display region 105 are displayed at the same display angle. When the image three-dimensional voxel area 111 is rotated in the three-dimensional display area 104, the MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113 is rotated by the same angle in the MPR three-dimensional display area 105. When the MPR three-dimensional voxel region 113 is rotated in the MPR three-dimensional display region 105, the image three-dimensional voxel region 111 in the three-dimensional display region 104 is rotated by the same angle. Thus, the two-image three-dimensional voxel region 111 in the three-dimensional display region 104
And the MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113 in the MPR three-dimensional display area 105 are always displayed at the same angle.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a display screen coordinate system. This is a coordinate system representing the three-dimensional image display area and the MPR three-dimensional image display area, and is used when explaining rotation and movement of the three-dimensional image and the MPR three-dimensional image.

Reference numeral 121 denotes a coordinate system of the MPR image displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101. FIG. 3 shows the Xi-Yi plane of the image coordinate system. 122 is orthogonal MP
3 shows a coordinate system of an image displayed in the R image display area 102. FIG. 3 shows the Xi-Zi plane of the image coordinate system. Reference numeral 123 denotes a coordinate system of an image displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. In FIG. 3, Yi-Z of the image coordinate system is used.
The i-plane is shown.

Reference numeral 124 denotes a three-dimensional image displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 104 and the MPR three-dimensional image display area 10
5 shows an image coordinate system of the MPR three-dimensional image displayed in FIG. In the three-dimensional image display area 104 and the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105, the three-dimensional image and the MPR three-dimensional image are displayed at the same angle.

The orthogonal MPR image display area 101 and the orthogonal MP
A line 125 in the R image display area 102 is a line that determines the display surface of the MPR image displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. Orthogonal MPR image display area 101 and orthogonal M
The line 126 in the PR image display area 103 is the orthogonal MPR
This line determines the display surface of the MPR image displayed in the image display area 102. Lines 127 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 and the orthogonal MPR image display area 103 are orthogonal MPR image display areas.
This line determines the display surface of the MPR image displayed in the R image display area 101.

Reference numeral 131 denotes a cross-sectional image of the plane set by the line 127 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. Reference numeral 132 denotes a cross-sectional image of the plane set by the line 126 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. 133
Is a cross-sectional image of the plane set by the line 125 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 102.

134 of the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105
Is the MP displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101
The R image 131 is mapped to the MPR three-dimensional voxel region 113. When the line 127 is moved in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103, 134 moves to a corresponding position in the frame of 113. Reference numeral 135 denotes an image obtained by mapping the MPR image 132 displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 to the MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113. When the line 126 is moved in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103, 135 moves to a corresponding position in the frame of 113. 136 is the orthogonal MPR image display area 1
The MPR image 133 displayed at 03 is mapped to the MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113. Orthogonal MPR
Image display area 101 or orthogonal MPR image display area 10
When the line 125 is moved in 2, 136 moves to the corresponding position in the frame of 113.

The MPR three-dimensional image 114 displayed in the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105 is displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display areas 101, 102, and 103 in the frame 113 indicating the MPR three-dimensional voxel area. Images 134 and 13 obtained by mapping MPR images 131, 132 and 133
5, 136 is a three-dimensional image displayed using the same display angle as the three-dimensional image 112 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 104.

The orthogonal MPR image display areas 101, 102,
By moving 127, 126 and 125 on 103, the MPR images 131, 132 and 133 are displayed as MPR images of a new plane, but 134, 135 and 136 constituting the MPR three-dimensional image 114 are simultaneously displayed. An MPR image of the new surface is displayed at the corresponding new position.

When the mouse pointer is moved in the horizontal direction of the screen, that is, in the Xd direction of 120 near the center of the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105, the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 are moved.
Rotates around the 120 Yd axis. When the mouse pointer is moved in the vertical direction of the screen, that is, in the Yd direction of 120 near the center of the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105, the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 are displayed. Rotate around the Xd axis. When the mouse pointer is moved near the inscribed circle of the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105 so as to rotate around the tangential direction of the inscribed circle, that is, around the Zd axis of 120, the three-dimensional image is displayed. 112 and MPR
The three-dimensional image 114 rotates around the 120 Zd axis.

By rotating the mouse wheel in the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105, the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 are moved in the normal direction of the display screen, that is, in the Zd direction. can do. 3D image display area 104 or M
While holding down the right mouse button in the PR three-dimensional image display area 105, the pointer moves in the left-right direction of the screen,
When moved in the Xd direction of 0, the 3D image 112 and the MPR
The three-dimensional image 114 can be moved in the horizontal direction on the screen. When the pointer is moved in the vertical direction of the screen, that is, in the Yd direction of 120 while the right button of the mouse is pressed, the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 can be moved in the vertical direction of the screen.

By operating the mouse in the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105, the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 can be freely rotated and moved. This makes it possible to observe the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 in detail from any direction.

FIG. 4 shows that the three-dimensional image 112 and the MPR three-dimensional image 114 are moved along the Xd axis by moving the mouse pointer up and down in the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105 in FIG. It shows a state where it is rotated around.

FIG. 5 shows the MPR based on the three-dimensional image 112 in the three-dimensional image display area 104 in the state of FIG.
3 shows an example in which three orthogonal planes are set in an image three-dimensional voxel space. The coordinate system based on the three orthogonal planes set by this operation is called a relative coordinate system, and is indicated by 144 in the MPR three-dimensional display area 105.

In the orthogonal MPR image display area 101, the surface of the display screen of the three-dimensional image display area 104, ie, Xd
-The MPR image of the Yd plane is displayed. This is the Xr-Yr plane in the relative coordinate system. Orthogonal MPR image display area 10
In 2, an MPR image of a plane orthogonal to the display screen of the three-dimensional image display area 104 and an Xd-Zd plane is displayed. This is the Xr-Zr plane in the relative coordinate system. In the orthogonal MPR image display area 103, an MPR image of a plane orthogonal to the display screen of the three-dimensional image display area 104 and a Zd-Yd plane are displayed. This is a Zr-Yr plane in the relative coordinate system. By this operation, an MPR image of a desired surface can be easily displayed.

In the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105, the surface of the display screen of the three-dimensional image display area 104, ie, X
MPR image 154 of d-Yd plane and MP of Xd-Zd plane
The R image 155 and the MPR image 156 on the Yd-Zd plane are displayed at the corresponding positions.

Reference numeral 141 denotes a coordinate system of an image displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101. In FIG. 5, the relative coordinate system 1
44 shows the Xr-Yr plane. 142 is orthogonal MPR
3 shows a coordinate system of an image displayed in the image display area 102.
FIG. 5 shows the Xr-Zr plane of the relative coordinate system 144. Reference numeral 143 denotes a coordinate system of an image displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. In FIG. 5, the Z of the relative coordinate system 144
An r-Yr plane is shown.

The orthogonal MPR image display area 101 and the orthogonal MP
A line 145 in the R image display area 102 is a line that determines the display surface of the MPR image displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. Orthogonal MPR image display area 101 and orthogonal M
A line 146 in the PR image display area 103 is an orthogonal MPR
This line determines the display surface of the MPR image displayed in the image display area 102. Lines 147 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 and the orthogonal MPR image display area 103 are orthogonal MPR image display areas.
This line determines the display surface of the MPR image displayed in the R image display area 101.

Reference numeral 151 denotes an MPR image of a plane set by a line 147 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103. 152 is orthogonal MPR
Image display area 101 or orthogonal MPR image display area 10
3 is an MPR image of a plane set by a line 146 in FIG. Reference numeral 153 denotes an MPR image of a plane set by a line 145 in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 102.

Reference numeral 154 denotes a result obtained by mapping the MPR image 151 displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101 to the MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113. When the line 147 is moved in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103, 154 moves to a corresponding position in the frame of 113. Reference numeral 155 denotes an MPR image that is displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display area 102.
This is mapped to the three-dimensional voxel area 113. When the line 146 is moved in the orthogonal MPR image display area 101 or the orthogonal MPR image display area 103, 155 becomes 1
Move to the corresponding position in the frame of No. 13. 156 is orthogonal M
MPR image 1 displayed in PR image display area 103
53 is mapped to the MPR three-dimensional voxel area 113. Orthogonal MPR image display area 101 or orthogonal MP
When the line 145 is moved in the R image display area 102, 156 moves to a corresponding position in the frame of 113.

The MPR three-dimensional image 114 displayed in the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105 has, within a frame 113 indicating an MPR three-dimensional voxel area (this is the same area as the image three-dimensional voxel area). Images 154, 15 which map the MPR images 151, 152, 153 displayed in the orthogonal MPR image display areas 101, 102, 103
5, 156 are three-dimensionally displayed using the same three-dimensional image display angle as the image 112 displayed in the three-dimensional display area 104.

The orthogonal MPR image display areas 101, 102,
By moving 147, 146, 145 on the 103, the MPR images 151, 152, and 153 display a new plane cross-sectional image, but the MPR three-dimensional image 11 is displayed.
4, 154, 155, and 156 are simultaneously displayed at the corresponding new positions.

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional image 112 and an MPR three-dimensional image around the Xd axis by moving the mouse pointer up and down in the three-dimensional image display area 104 or the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105 in FIG. 14 shows a state in which 114 is rotated.

As described above, the three-dimensional image 112 displayed in the three-dimensional image display area 104 and the three-dimensional image 1 displayed in the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105
Since the mouse 14 can be rotated or moved by operating the mouse pointer, it can be used as a guide for setting the amount of rotation or the amount of movement.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another example of the display screen. Reference numeral 106 denotes a three-dimensional image 16 projected on the Xr-Yr plane.
1 is displayed. The MPR image of this surface is 151 displayed at 101. 107 displays a three-dimensional image 162 projected on the Xr-Zr plane. MP on this side
The R image is 152 displayed at 102. 108
Shows a three-dimensional image 163 projected on the Yr-Zr plane. The MPR image of this surface is 153 displayed on 103. The three-dimensional image display area 104 and the MPR three-dimensional image display area 105 can be interchanged.

FIG. 9 shows three orthogonal planes of the image coordinate system based on the image three-dimensional voxel or three orthogonal planes of the relative coordinate system based on the three-dimensional image that has been arbitrarily rotated and moved.
This is displayed in an annular shape at the same time as the MPR three-dimensional image in the image coordinate system or the MPR three-dimensional image in the relative coordinate system displayed on the display screen. This makes it possible to intuitively grasp the image coordinate system and the relative coordinate system. Although FIG. 9 shows one set of three orthogonal planes of the image coordinate system or three orthogonal planes of the relative coordinate system, both may be displayed. In FIG. 9, the orthogonal plane is displayed in an annular shape. However, there is a method of displaying a large number of radial lines.

FIG. 10 shows, on the display screen, three orthogonal planes of the image coordinate system based on the image three-dimensional voxels or three orthogonal planes of the relative coordinate system based on the three-dimensional image that has been arbitrarily rotated and moved. The three-dimensional image is displayed in an annular shape simultaneously with the displayed three-dimensional image. This makes it possible to intuitively grasp the image coordinate system and the relative coordinate system. Although FIG. 10 shows one set of three orthogonal planes of the image coordinate system or three orthogonal planes of the relative coordinate system, both may be displayed.
In FIG. 10, the orthogonal plane is displayed in an annular shape. However, there is a method of displaying a large number of radial lines.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as means for setting the three orthogonal planes in the image three-dimensional voxel space, arbitrary rotation is performed on the three-dimensional image so that a desired section of the three-dimensional image is parallel to the display screen. After arbitrary movement, three orthogonal planes based on the three-dimensional image are set in the image three-dimensional voxel space. The MPR three-dimensional image is displayed by mapping the MPR image on the three orthogonal planes to a corresponding position in a space having the same coordinate system as the image three-dimensional voxel. This makes it possible to easily display an MPR image and an MPR three-dimensional image of any desired cross section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as a means for setting the three orthogonal planes in the image three-dimensional voxel space, the rotation of the three-dimensional image is arbitrarily adjusted so that the desired section of the three-dimensional image is parallel to the display screen. After arbitrary movement, three orthogonal planes based on the three-dimensional image are set in the image three-dimensional voxel space. A pixel value of a voxel intersecting the three orthogonal planes is converted to a new MPR having the same coordinate system as the image three-dimensional voxel.
A new MPR 3D voxel is created by mapping to the corresponding position in the 3D voxel space and this MPR
By displaying a three-dimensional voxel in a three-dimensional image,
Displays a PR three-dimensional image. This makes it possible to easily display an MPR image and an MPR three-dimensional image of any desired cross section.

A description will now be given of another method for realizing the second aspect of the present invention. As a means for setting the three orthogonal planes in the image three-dimensional voxel space, after arbitrary rotation and arbitrary movement are performed on the three-dimensional image so that the desired cross section of the three-dimensional image is parallel to the display screen, Three orthogonal planes based on the image are set in the image three-dimensional voxel space. A new MPR 3D voxel space having the same coordinate system and the same voxel value as the image 3D voxel is created by copying the image 3D voxel. The transparency of voxels that do not intersect the three orthogonal planes in the MPR three-dimensional voxel space is set to be transparent, and three-dimensional display is performed by a volume rendering method. Since only the voxels intersecting the three orthogonal planes are displayed three-dimensionally, an MPR three-dimensional image can be displayed. This makes it possible to easily display an MPR image and an MPR three-dimensional image of any desired cross section.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for changing the transparency of the MPR three-dimensional image displayed in the MPR three-dimensional image display area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the display setting of the three-dimensional image to be displayed and the MPR three-dimensional image is facilitated by using the three-dimensional image or the MPR three-dimensional image displayed on the display screen as a guide. It is.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the third aspect of the present invention.
Setting the display angle and display position of the 3D image and the MPR 3D image by displaying the orthogonal plane and / or the 3 orthogonal planes based on the relative coordinate system simultaneously with the 3D image and the MPR 3D image displayed on the display screen. In addition, the position information of the image coordinate system and the relative coordinate system can be easily grasped.

In the above examples, image data obtained by an X-ray CT apparatus has been described as an example, but the same applies to image data obtained by other medical image apparatuses such as an MR apparatus and an ultrasonic apparatus. .

[0055]

According to the present invention, a new concept of a relative coordinate system based on a three-dimensional image which can be freely rotated and moved is introduced. Using this relative coordinate system, 3
3 orthogonal to the orthogonal 3D image projected in the axial direction
A method has been devised for displaying and observing MPR images each having an axis as a normal line in an image display area. With the introduction of a new concept of a relative coordinate system, it has become possible to simultaneously observe a plurality of three-dimensional images and a plurality of MPR images associated with each other in the relative coordinate system. This facilitates observation and grasp of spatial information, facilitates association of a three-dimensional image with a two-dimensional image, and enables immediate reference to related two-dimensional information.

Although the MPR image has been conventionally used, there is a drawback that it is difficult to freely set three orthogonal planes in a region where the region of interest exists. With the introduction of the relative coordinate system,
Since it is possible to set three orthogonal planes in the region of interest by a simple operation, it is expected to be widely used in the future.

The present invention has introduced a new concept of MPR three-dimensional image display. Although the MPR image has been conventionally used, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to grasp the spatial positional relationship between the three orthogonal planes and the subject. The new concept of MPR three-dimensional image display makes it easier to grasp the spatial positional relationship of MPR images, and is expected to be widely used in the future.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an object and a coordinate system used for description.

FIG. 3 is an image display screen showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an image display screen showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an image display screen showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an image display screen showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an image display screen showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an image display screen showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example in which an MPR three-dimensional image and three orthogonal planes are displayed.

FIG. 10 is an example in which a three-dimensional image and three orthogonal planes are displayed.

[Description of Signs] 1 Data acquisition unit 2 Reconstruction operation processing unit 3 3D image processing unit 4 Image display device 5 Operation unit 11 X-ray target 12 Electron gun 13 Electron beam 14 X-ray detector 15 Data acquisition circuit 16 Bed 21 Data storage device 41 3D image display area 42 MPR 3D image display area 43 Orthogonal MPR image display area 44 Orthogonal MPR image display area 45 Orthogonal MPR image display area 46 Setting panel 51 Image coordinate system Xi-Yi surface 52 Image coordinate system Yi −Zi surface 53 Image three-dimensional voxel region Xi-Yi surface 54 Image three-dimensional voxel region Yi-Zi surface 55 Subject Xi-Yi surface 56 Subject Yi-Zi surface 101 Orthogonal MPR image display area 102 Orthogonal MPR image display area 103 Orthogonal MPR image display area 104 3D image display area 105 MPR 3D image Image display area 106 Orthogonal 3D image display area 107 Orthogonal 3D image display area 108 Orthogonal 3D image display area 111 Frame showing image 3D voxel area 112 3D image 113 Image 3D voxel area / MPR 3D voxel area Indicated frame 114 MPR three-dimensional image 120 Display screen coordinate system 121 Coordinate system of orthogonal MPR image display area (image coordinate system) 122 Coordinate system of orthogonal MPR image display area (image coordinate system) 123 Coordinate system of orthogonal MPR image display area 124 Image coordinate system 125 Cursor for setting the cross-sectional position of orthogonal MPR image 126 Cursor for setting the cross-sectional position of orthogonal MPR image 127 Cursor for setting the cross-sectional position of orthogonal MPR image 131 Orthogonal MPR image using image coordinate system 132 Image coordinate system MPR image by image 133 Image coordinate system Orthogonal MPR image 134 The image coordinate system orthogonal MPR image mapped to the MPR three-dimensional voxel region 135 The image coordinate system orthogonal MPR image mapped to the MPR three-dimensional voxel region 136 The image coordinate system orthogonal MPR image 141 mapped to the MPR three-dimensional voxel region 141 Coordinate system of orthogonal MPR image display area (relative coordinate system) 142 Coordinate system of orthogonal MPR image display area (relative coordinate system) 143 Coordinate system of orthogonal MPR image display area (relative coordinate system) 144 Relative coordinate system 145 of orthogonal MPR image Display section position setting cursor 146 Display section position setting cursor for orthogonal MPR image 147 Display section position setting cursor for orthogonal MPR image 151 Orthogonal MPR image using relative coordinate system 152 Orthogonal MPR image using relative coordinate system 153 Orthogonal MPR image using relative coordinate system 154 MPR three-dimensional boxe Relative coordinate system orthogonal MPR image mapped to area 155 MPR three-dimensional voxel area mapped relative coordinate system orthogonal MPR image 156 MPR three-dimensional orthogonal voxel area mapped relative MPR image 161 Zr three-dimensional image based on relative coordinate system 162 3D image in Yr direction by relative coordinate system 163 3D image in Xr direction by relative coordinate system

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A three-dimensional image display device using a three-dimensional voxel having a pixel value corresponding to a physical property of a subject (hereinafter, an image three-dimensional voxel). Means for setting three orthogonal planes based on the original image in an image three-dimensional voxel space, and means for displaying a cross-section converted image (hereinafter, MPR image) displaying a pixel value of a voxel crossing the three orthogonal planes as a cross-sectional image And 3
Means for displaying the MPR three-dimensional image by mapping the MPR image on the orthogonal plane to a corresponding position in a space having the same coordinate system as the image three-dimensional voxel. A three-dimensional image display device capable of easily displaying an original image. 2. A three-dimensional image display device using a three-dimensional voxel having a pixel value corresponding to a physical property of a subject (hereinafter referred to as an image three-dimensional voxel). Means for setting three orthogonal planes based on the original image in an image three-dimensional voxel space, and means for displaying a cross-section converted image (hereinafter, MPR image) displaying a pixel value of a voxel crossing the three orthogonal planes as a cross-sectional image And mapping the pixel values of the voxels intersecting the three orthogonal planes to corresponding positions in a new three-dimensional voxel (hereinafter referred to as MPR three-dimensional voxel) space having the same coordinate system as the image three-dimensional voxel, By providing a means for creating an original voxel and a means for displaying the MPR three-dimensional voxel in a three-dimensional image, an MPR image at an arbitrary angle and an MPR three-dimensional image A three-dimensional image display device that can easily display an image. 3. The three-dimensional image display device according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing the transparency of the MPR three-dimensional image displayed on the display screen. 4. The three-dimensional image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displayed three-dimensional image or MPR is used as a guide for setting a display angle and a display position of the three-dimensional image and the MPR three-dimensional image. By providing means for using a three-dimensional image, it is easy to set the display angle and display position of the three-dimensional image and the MPR three-dimensional image, and to easily grasp the position information of the image coordinate system and the relative coordinate system. 3D image display device. 5. The three-dimensional image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three orthogonal planes (hereinafter, three orthogonal planes based on an image coordinate system) based on the image three-dimensional voxels and A three-orthogonal plane (hereinafter referred to as a three-orthogonal plane based on a relative coordinate system) based on a three-dimensional image having undergone arbitrary rotation and arbitrary movement is transformed into a three-dimensional image and / or M
By providing means for displaying on the display screen simultaneously with the PR 3D image, it is easy to set the display angle and the display position of the 3D image and the MPR 3D image, and the position information of the image coordinate system and the relative coordinate system can be set. A three-dimensional image display device that makes it easy to grasp.