Patent ID: 8483462

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for detecting abnormalities, comprising: performing a segmentation on a 3D image to generate a first segmented structure and a second segmented structure that is distinct from the first; generating a first distance map from the first segmented structure and a second distance map from the second segmented structure; generating a first iso-surface from the first distance map and a second iso-surface from the second distance map, wherein the first iso-surface entirely surrounds a first boundary contour that bounds the first segmented structure, and space is present between the first iso-surface and the first boundary contour, wherein the second iso-surface entirely surrounds a second boundary contour that bounds the second segmented structure, and space is present between the second iso-surface and the second boundary contour; generating a connected surface by connecting closest respective points of the first iso-surface and the second iso-surface together; generating a series of 2D images using the connected surface; and using the 2D images to detect abnormalities.