Image data filtering method, image data filtering system, and use of image data in virtual endoscopy

摘要

A method for filtering image data having at least three types of distinct regions from a selected type of region, each of the at least three types of distinct regions being characterized by a plurality of unitary image elements, the method comprising providing the image data; selecting a portion of the image data comprising at least a corresponding portion of each of the at least three types of regions; determining at least one distribution for each of the at least three types of regions in the selected portion; determining at least one function for associating each unitary image element of the selected type of region in the selected portion to another type of region of the at least three types of regions such that the at least one distribution of the selected type of regions in the selected portion is transposed into a corresponding distribution of the another type of region; and applying the at least one function to each unitary image element of the selected type of region of the selected portion to thereby provide filtered image data. Applications of the method for suppressing tagged material in virtual colonoscopy are also disclosed.