Automated Extraction and Visualization of Bronchus from 3D CT Images of Lung

In this paper we present a procedure to extract bronchus area from 3D CT images of lung taken by helical CT scanner and to visualize it as a 3D shaded image. The extraction procedure consists of 3D region growing with the parameters adjusted automatically and is performed fast by using 3D painting algorithm. The result is visualized by computer graphics workstation, and the bronchus is observed from the inside just like a simulated bronchus endoscope freely without any pain. We call this way of visualization “navigation”.

[1]  Shigeki Yokoi,et al.  An interactive voxel data manipulation system for surgical simulation , 1994, Proceedings of 1994 3rd IEEE International Workshop on Robot and Human Communication.

[2]  William E. Lorensen,et al.  Marching cubes: A high resolution 3D surface construction algorithm , 1987, SIGGRAPH.

[3]  Kensaku Mori,et al.  Automated extraction of lung cancer lesions from multislice chest CT images by using three-dimensional image processing , 1994, Systems and Computers in Japan.

[4]  J. Toriwaki,et al.  Study of computer diagnosis of X-ray and CT images in Japan-a brief survey , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE Workshop on Biomedical Image Analysis.

[5]  HENRI GOURAUD,et al.  Continuous Shading of Curved Surfaces , 1971, IEEE Transactions on Computers.