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Biomedical subjects

U Tiede

Publications and source records attributed to U Tiede.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel interactive anatomic atlas of the hand.

Classical anatomic atlases cannot provide the spectrum of views and the detail required in modern diagnostic and surgical techniques. Computer modeling opens the possibility to choose any view from one single model. A computerized model of the hand is presented, which has been obtained by segmentation and graphic modeling of the Visible Human dataset. In addition to being able to choose arbitrary viewpoints, it allows interrogation of the chosen views by mouse click. We believe the functions of these new kinds of atlases are superior to the classical ones.

Anatomy, Artistic↗

EUS Meets Voxel-Man: three-dimensional anatomic animation of linear-array endoscopic ultrasound images.

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a widely used imaging modality in gastroenterology. The development of linear-array endoscopic ultrasound transducers, with facilities for EUS-guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, led to increasingly widespread use in different areas of the body. Examiners need to have excellent knowledge of anatomy. Orientation in linear EUS is more difficult and the learning curve is long. In an effort to shorten the training, reducing the risk to the patient and to allow a faster learning of the basic anatomic structures EUS meets VOXEL-MAN, an interactive three-dimensional anatomic simulation program has been developed for linear EUS for the purposes of private and independent study.

Anatomy, Artistic↗

Creating a high-resolution spatial/symbolic model of the inner organs based on the Visible Human.

Computerized three-dimensional models of the human body, based on the Visible Human Project of the National Library of Medicine, so far do not reflect the rich anatomical detail of the original cross-sectional images. In this paper, a spatial/symbolic model of the inner organs is developed, which is based on more than 1000 cryosections and congruent fresh and frozen CT images of the male Visible Human. The spatial description is created using color-space segmentation, graphic modeling, and a matched volume visualization with subvoxel resolution. It is linked to a symbolic knowledge base, providing an ontology of anatomical terms. With over 650 three-dimensional anatomical constituents, this model offers an unsurpassed photorealistic presentation and level of detail. A three-dimensional atlas of anatomy and radiology based on this model is available as a PC-based program.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

A realistic model of human structure from the visible human data.

The computer-based 3D models of the human body reported to date suffer from poor spatial resolution. The Visible Human project has delivered high resolution cross-sectional images that are suited for generation of high-quality models. Yet none of the 3D models described to date reflect the quality of the original images. We present a method of segmentation and visualization which provides a new quality of realism and detail. Using the example of a 3D model of the inner organs, we demonstrate that such models, especially when combined with a knowledge base, open new possibilities for scientific, educational, and clinical work.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

Simulation of cardiac excitation patterns in a three-dimensional anatomical heart atlas.

Computerized anatomical atlas systems enable interactive investigation of digital body models. Here we present a three-dimensional atlas of the human heart, based on image data provided in the Visible Human Project. This heart atlas consists of multiple kinds of cardiac tissues and offers unlimited possibilities for its visual exploration. A temporal dimension is added to the underlying heart model by simulation of cardiac excitation spreading. For this purpose a second generation cellular automata algorithm is adapted to the excitation kinetics of cardiac tissue. The presented system is shown as a successful method for the visualization-based investigation of cardiac excitation.

Algorithms↗

Planning and rehearsal of surgical interventions in the volume model.

Visualization of 3D medical data is routinely used in a wide range of applications. However, for the planning and rehearsal of surgical interventions more sophisticated techniques for interaction have to be developed. The realistic specification and visualization of free form cuts is needed to allow the 'look and feel' close to a real dissection. The problem here is, since these cuts are not represented by intensity changes, that the gray-level-gradient-method can not be used for the estimation of surface normals. In addition, the interactive repositioning of dissected fragments has to be simulated. We have developed an extended ray-casting algorithm for visualization of object motion in the volume model. We implemented new methods for the representation, modeling and high quality rendering (subvoxel resolution) of arbitrarily shaped cut regions within the volume model. The representation is done using a dynamic data structure. This way, all operations can easily be reversed and the original object information is preserved. The modeling of cut surfaces is done in an independent data volume where the partial-volume-effect, which is the prerequisite for the gray-level-gradient method, is calculated as it would be generated by an imaging system. This way, the localization of cut surfaces at subvoxel resolution and an accurate estimation of the surface normals is achieved. The key point here is to detect if a cut surface really truncates an object or if the object has not been affected by a cutting operation. We will present an new method, called adaptive sampling which allows to determine the situation by the generation of additional sample points (when necessary) during the ray casting process. The described techniques provides the basis for simulation of surgical interventions in the voxel-model which could not be achieved with any surface-based method. We present a system for simulation and rehearsal of otosurgical approaches, where we implemented a drill-like tool with which the student lays off the route to the operating area. The key point is to not injure structures of risk such as the facial nerve. For applications like the simulation of craniofacial surgery we developed a gradual cutting tool ("virtual scalpel").

Computer Graphics↗

Interactive volume visualization using "intelligent movies".

High quality visualization of medical volume models as performed by the VOXEL-MAN and similar systems is still too time consuming and the interaction complicated when sophisticated tools like dissection are used. We hence developed a new paradigm allowing to create simpler derivatives of the model, called "intelligent movies". These are in QuickTime or QuickTime VR format which allow interactive exploration with two degrees of freedom. As a decisive novelty, we extended it by a pixelwise link to the knowledge base which may be queried in the image context. Thus scenes emphasizing a selected aspect of the volume model may be created as intelligent movies, which a user (referring physician, student) can explore largely with the functionality of VOXEL-MAN, but in real time--on any standard PC--and also via a JAVA applet within web browsers. This is shown with the example of 3D interactive anatomical atlases and clinical cases.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

Segmentation of the visible human for high-quality volume-based visualization.

This article describes a combination of interactive classification and super-sampling visualization algorithms that greatly enhances the realism of 3-D reconstructions of the Visible Human data sets. Objects are classified on the basis of ellipsoidal regions in RGB space. The ellipsoids are used for super-sampling in the visualization process.

Abdomen↗

Applications and perspectives in anatomical 3-dimensional modelling of the visible human with VOXEL-MAN.

Up to now computerized interactive 3-dimensional (3D) atlases of human anatomy have been based on radiological data or artificial geometric models as spatial descriptions of morphological structures. Besides the obvious advantages of this data (e.g. already in digital format, geometrical correctness) the lack of high resolution anatomical slices of larger regions of the human body has prevented the use of more realistic anatomical data so far. Now, the Visible Human Project offers high quality anatomical slices of complete cadavers. Therefore, on the one hand, new opportunities for realistic virtual 3D models of anatomy are open. On the other hand, just the major advantages of the visible human data (e.g. realistic colors and textures, high resolution) result in new demands on the image processing and visualization techniques. This paper describes experience, solutions and results with a volume-based approach for building realistic anatomical 3D models.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

[New kinds of 3-dimensional atlases of the anatomy and function of the human body].

It is a drawback of classical multimedia programs for the visualization of spatial knowledge, that they are based on a limited number of predefined views. This paper describes a model that combines pictorial and symbolic knowledge about spatial structures in a way that allows arbitrary views of the scene and the interrogation of the model in the context of the actual view. The style of the pictorial presentation only depends on the objective and the phantasy of the user. The functionality of the approach is demonstrated with the example of the human head. It is furthermore shown that the model potentially allows the simulation or generation of all classical visual teaching aids for anatomy.

Anatomy, Artistic↗

A new method for practicing exploration, dissection, and simulation with a complete computerized three-dimensional model of the brain and skull.

In current practice, anatomical atlases are based on a collection of planar images presented in a book or, recently, stored on digital media. We present a new kind of interactive true three-dimensional (3D) anatomical atlases based on a volume model derived from MRI and CT. The model has a two-layer structure. The lower level is a volume model with a set of semantic attributes connected to each voxel. The semantic attributes are assigned by an anatomist using a volume editor. THe upper level represents a set of relations between these attributes. Interactive visualization tools such as multiple surface display, preparation of transparent material and cutting are provided. It is shown that the combination of this model with advanced tools for volume visualization provides the 'look and feel' of real dissection. The system therefore represents a bridge between real dissection of a cadaver and textbooks and classical atlases of anatomy. First tests have shown that the atlas system may be used successfully for teaching anatomy, but also as a reference for radiologists or surgeons. The powerful underlying data structure potentially includes all classical visual teaching aids. As a replacement of classical atlases, however, spatial resolution has still to be improved.

Anatomy↗

[3-D visualization of dose distributions in CT image volumes].

The 3D-visualization of the entire spatial radiation dosage in cooperation with the 3D-radiation volume requires several data volumes. The structure of the interface between the 3D-treatment planning program "ProPlan" and the 3D-imaging system "VOXEL-MAN" is explained. The first results in the radiological application point out the possibilities of the complex registration of dose distributions and the critical examination of the irradiation technique.

Female↗

Improvement of 3D acquisition and visualization in MRI.

Three-dimensional (3D) visualization techniques are becoming an ever more important aid in the interpretation of tomographic data. Up to now, however, they have not received widespread use in MRI, because both acquisition and visualization techniques have been inadequate. In this paper we describe new 3D acquisition techniques which can acquire up to 128 slices with a resolution of 256 x 256 pixels in from 8 to 20 min. These techniques produce 3D data sets with excellent contrast and few motion artifacts, which are very well suited for 3D visualization techniques. For the visualization we investigate several rendering techniques, describe some improvements and compare their results. We found that there is no single method which renders all objects equally well. We show which shading method is best suited for different objects and why the other methods fail. Our studies suggest that in a 3D view with several objects each object should be rendered with a separate shading method. In so doing, 3D views can be generated which look like the real human anatomy.

Data Display↗

[3D displays for craniofacial surgery].

3D visualisation from tomographic image sequences has turned out to be a useful addition to diagnosis and surgical planning in craniofacial surgery. However, its clinical use still suffers from the very large variety of different methods and parameters from which the surgeon may choose. This is true not only of the data acquisition but also for of documentation of the results. Furthermore, there is no standardisation of procedures according to classes of malformations. This paper presents a systematic investigation of these problems. It proposes a standardisation of craniofacial malformations and describes an optimisation of the procedure of 3D visualisation. The procedure described has become a standard tool for craniofacial surgery in our hospital.

Cleft Lip↗

[3-dimensional display of computed tomographic studies of craniofacial anomalies].

Craniofacial anomalies are conventionally investigated by cephalometry using ordinary radiographs and by computed tomography. Both methods have the major disadvantage of trying to demonstrate a complex three-dimensional structure, such as the skull, in two dimensions and they therefore cannot display a true spatial image. We present the principle underlying a three-dimensional display derived from computer tomographic studies and discuss the clinical application in the diagnosis of craniofacial anomalies.

Adolescent↗

A computerized three-dimensional atlas of the human skull and brain.

PURPOSE: To develop an anatomic atlas of the human head based on a volume model derived from MR and CT. METHODS: Every voxel of this model was labeled by a neuroanatomist concerning its membership to a structural and/or functional region. A computer program was written that, instead of displaying precomputed images, allows the user to choose and compose arbitrary views. RESULTS: The user can subtract parts and ask for annotations just by using the mouse. Conversely, one can compose images by choosing objects from the list of anatomical constituents which is displayed on the screen. A set of dissection tools allows a "look and feel" that comes near to a true dissection. Operations that are not possible in a real dissection, such as reassembly or filling cavities, can be performed. CONCLUSION: The authors have developed a computerized model that can be used for anatomy teaching and also as a reference for radiologists or surgeons. To replace classical atlases, the spatial resolution must be improved and speed must approach real time. Functional imaging data (position emission tomography and single photon emission CT) can be added to the system. The system is mobile and can be situated in classrooms, operating rooms, reading rooms, and libraries.

Brain↗