Modelling, visualization, and interaction techniques for diagnosis and treatment planning in cardiology

Due to the development of new imaging devices, which produce a large number of tomographic slices, advanced techniques for the evaluation of large amo unts of data are required. Therefore, computer-supported extraction of dyna mic 3-D models of patient anatomy from temporal series is highly desirable. Since the diagnostician must be able to quickly make rational decisions ba sed on the models, a high degree of accuracy is required within a minimum a mount of lime. We present modelling and visualization techniques that are r ealized within the Cardiac Station. Results for the application of these te chniques to cardiac image data are given. In addition to providing informat ion about the patient's morphology, functional parameters can be derived fr om the data and visualized together with the model. In order to verify the model with the original image data and to plan for real intervention. inter action techniques are presented. cl. 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All lights reserved.