Patent ID: 6711433
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
A method for providing a virtual contrast agent for blood vessels in a body portion, comprising the steps of:acquiring data for a 3D model from an imaging process; segmenting said data to provide a segmented 3D model of said blood vessels; obtaining a first procedure image of said body portion utilizing a radiation source and an image detector, said first procedure image including said blood vessels with contrast agent injection; registering said segmented 3D model with said first procedure image, and deriving therefrom parameters relating positions of said body portion, said radiation source, said image detector, and said 3D model; obtaining a second procedure image of said body portion utilizing said radiation source and said image detector, said second procedure image being obtained without contrast agent injection; rendering said 3D model and overlaying a 2D projection of said 3D model onto said second procedure image; and simulating a contrast agent injection on said second procedure image, said simulated injection being calculated by said 3D model.