Three dimensional reconstruction of branched tree structures from serial sections.

Abstract

A process is described for the automatic registration and reconstruction of anatomical tree structures such as capillary networks in the microstructure of tissue. The technique uses images of, or images representing, a set of closely spaced parallel slices called "serial sections". The source of the serial sections may be MRI, multi-planar X-ray, multi-planar infra-red scans, or simple histological sections. A tree structure is defined as a structure consisting of a network of nested ducts, vessels or solid cores which branch and join with another such that one structure may appear as more than one distinct area in a single section, or in a series of sections. The reconstruction of such an object poses many problems which do not occur when restructuring objects which are so shaped that they can give rise to only one area in each section.