Abstract: In this article we present the visualization of the human body
basing upon the X-ray CT and MR images. Topics and examaples of images rendered
by the computer are all selected from the studies in the authors' laboratory
during about twenty years. Topics are classified into four groups. First we
introduce a few historical pictures of cross section images, and the surface of
bones and the skull. Second, the selected pictures in the surgical simulation
system NUCSS (=Nagoya University Craniofacial Surgical Simulation system) we
developed are shown. This system was for the simulation of the craniofacial
surgery of the skull and the orthopedic surgery of the hip joint. This was the
pioneering work which showed the potential of computer aid in surgery based
upon 3D CT images about ten years in advance of the present rapid extention of
the computer aided surgery. One of the earliest work to visualize the
performance of the soft tissue - rendering of the cut skin is also included.
Third, the virtualized endoscope system is presented in detail. The images of
both the inside and the outside view of the bronchus, the vessel and the
stomach are shown here with the introduction to the new concept of the
navigation diagnosis. Finally the navigation through an Egyptian mummy is
added.
Keywords: surface rendering, three dimensional image processing, surgical simulation, virtual endoscopy system, volume rendering, medical image processing