Display of Three-Dimensional Information in Computed Tomography

Abstract

From a sequence of computed tomograms of 2-dimensional transverse slices of a body [human] a 3-dimensional array of numbers containing spatial rather than cross-sectional information was built up. Computer methods were developed to display a slice at arbitrary orientation through the 3-dimensional object. The 3-dimensional array of numbers was also used to display what any particular organ would look like if it were removed from the body. This was done by a computer technique that first detected the surface of the organ of interest and then displayed this surface on a screen.