42 - Three-Dimensional Visualization in Medicine and biology

Abstract

Biomedical image visualization involves the transformation and presentation of and interaction with multidimensional medical and/or biological image data sets. The goal of visualization in biomedical computing is to formulate and realize a rational basis and efficient architecture for productive use of biomedical image data. There is a variety of computational visualization methods used in biomedical research and in clinical applications. For 3D datasets these include both 2D and 3D display techniques. For 2D techniques, three types of multiplanar sectioning and display are described, including orthogonal, oblique, and curved planes. For 3D techniques, two types of display are discussed, namely surface renderings and volume renderings (including both projection and surface types). Other visualization display types, such as parametric displays, are not described specifically, but some are illustrated in the application section. The reference section contains a list of many visualization publications documenting and describing historic developments, fundamental algorithms and systems, advanced visualization paradigms, and a variety of useful biological and clinical applications.