Patent ID: 7978191
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for locating an object or section of interest within a 3D volume, the method comprising: storing 3D volume data in a data store; identifying, by a computer device, a first curved cut plane in the 3D volume based on a user input, the first curved cut plane following a first curved path; projecting, by the computer device, onto a viewing plane a first cross-section of the 3D volume along the first curved cut plane following the first curved path based on the 3D volume data, wherein the projecting onto the viewing plane displays a flattened display of the first curved cut plane following the first curved path; receiving, by the computer device, a user selection on the flattened display of the first curved cut plane following the first curved path, via a user input device, wherein the user selection identifies a selected point on the flattened display; detecting, by the computer device, movement of the user input device away from the selected point; recalculating, by the computer device, a portion of the curve based on the detected movement and generating a second curved cut plane following a second curved path in response; and re-projecting, by the computer device, onto the viewing plane a second cross-section of the 3D volume along the second curved cut plane following the second curved path based on the 3D volume data, wherein the recalculating and re-projecting are substantially in real time with the movement of the user input device.