A Software Platform for Real-Time Visualization and Manipulation of 4D Cardiac Images

Current capabilities of computerized radiology equipment have made three-dimensional (3D) and 4D (3D + time) medical images available for cardiac diagnosis, as well as for planning and guidance of therapy. Real-time display and interaction with these images plays an important role. To address this need, we have developed a graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerated 4D medical image visualization and manipulation platform, in which different levels of image representation and operation are employed, and anatomical volume of interest (VOI) can be efficiently enhanced. In addition, a new “depth texture indexing” algorithm is described to allow virtual surgical tools to be included in this environment, and a preliminary user study is performed to test the clinical usefulness and user performance enhancement when using the new techniques implemented in this software platform. The aim of this work is to supply cardiologists and surgeons with a comprehensive visualization software framework for cardiac disease preoperative diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgery guidance.