Patent Document ID: 8665268
Application ID: 12815712
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. An image data processing system, comprising: a repository including a 3D (three dimensional) image dataset representing an anatomical volume of interest; an image data processor for processing the 3D image dataset by, (a) receiving a command to display a first object in the 3D image dataset, (b) automatically detecting that the first object is obscured by a second object in the 3D image dataset when viewed from a particular viewing direction by automatically determining distance data indicating that said second object is closer to a display screen than the first object based on coordinates of the first and second objects in the 3D image dataset, (c) in response to the detection that the first object is obscured by the second object in the 3D image dataset when viewed from the particular viewing direction, automatically determining whether said first object would be visible from said particular viewing direction upon rotation of said anatomical volume of interest with respect to the particular viewing direction, (d) if it is determined that the first object would be visible from said particular viewing direction upon rotation of said anatomical volume of interest with respect to the particular viewing direction, automatically rotating said anatomical volume of interest with respect to the particular viewing direction until said first object is visible from said particular viewing direction, and (e) if it is determined that the first object would not be visible from said particular viewing direction upon rotation of said anatomical volume of interest with respect to the particular viewing direction, generating a cross-sectional image of said anatomical volume of interest and showing said first object; and a display processor for initiating display of the rotated anatomical volume of interest or the cross-sectional image showing said first object.