TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of this disclosure are generally related to radiological imaging, and more particularly to blood vessel appearance using extended reality headsets.

BACKGROUND

One of the challenges that physicians face when viewing a volume with an augmented reality, virtual reality or mixed reality headset is visualization of blood flow.

SUMMARY

All examples, aspects and features mentioned in this document can be combined in any technically possible way.

In accordance with some implementations a method of denoting blood flow within a 3D volume on a head display unit (HDU), comprises: generating a 3D volumetric dataset containing at least one blood vessel; generating at least one pointer; determining the direction of blood flow; modifying the 3D volumetric dataset by placing the at least one pointer in proximity to the at least one blood vessel in a direction aligned with a direction of blood flow; displaying, in said HDU, a left eye image based on said modified 3D volumetric dataset and a right eye image based on said modified 3D volumetric dataset, wherein said left eye image and said right eye image are alternate three-dimensional images; and displaying, in said HDU, the at least one pointer advancing in the direction of blood flow. In some implementations placing the at least one pointer in proximity to the at least one blood vessel comprises placing a 2D arrow. In some implementations placing the at least one pointer in proximity to the at least one blood vessel comprises placing a 3D arrow. Some implementations comprise displaying, in said HDU, the pointer with changing color. Some implementations comprise displaying, in said HDU, the pointer advancing in the direction of blood flow faster in arteries than veins.

BRIEF DESCIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1illustrates the method for using pointers to denote blood flow direction within a 3D volumetric dataset and viewing with a head display unit.

FIG. 2illustrates advancing pointers to depict the direction of the blood flow.

FIG. 3illustrates placement of a 2D pointer into the 3D volume.

FIG. 4illustrates placement of a 3D pointer into the 3D volume.

FIG. 5illustrates placement of a 3D pointer into the 3D volume wherein the appearance of the 3D pointer can be modified.

FIG. 6illustrates variable pointer rates of movement.

