Patent ID: 7502025
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
1. An image processing method for visualizing information of a living body near an imaginary path in a subject of observation by using a computer, said image processing method comprising the steps of: setting at least two different points along the imaginary path; setting a plurality of ray basis points for determining ray directions of virtual rays, each of the plurality of ray basis points corresponding to a different one of said at least two different points along the imaginary path; determining the ray direction of each virtual ray according to an elevation angle which is an angle between the virtual ray passing through a ray basis point, and a path direction of said imaginary path; projecting at least two different virtual rays according to their respective ray directions while rotating the projected virtual rays around their respective different corresponding points along the imaginary path, thereby to generate a single projected image based on the rotation of the projected virtual rays around said respective different corresponding points along the imaginary path; visualizing and displaying on a display device the living body information, based on said single projected image, wherein results of the rotation of the projected virtual rays around said respective different corresponding points along the imaginary path are displayed simultaneously from said single projected image; and allowing a user to interactively change the elevation angle.