Method and device for automatic local path planning for virtual colonoscopy

A method for automatic local path planning for a virtual endoscope, comprising the steps of: Deriving a bowel data set was determined using a colonoscopy protocol for use in the subsequent steps; Defining a sub-volume around a current position of the endoscope in a lumen; Performing a region growing within the lumen starting from the actual endoscope position; Calculating and accumulating to a cluster of the sectional area of ​​the region with the faces of a cube that defines the lower volume; Calculating approximate center line paths from the current endoscope position to the center of each cluster which has been formed in the previous step; Comparing each of the center line with a current paths, shown by the endoscope path; Assigning one based on the comparison result to each of the center line paths; and Selecting a centerline path based on the result, characterized in that said step of associating a system based on the comparison result to each of the center line paths comprises: Forming the sum ...