Interactive PC-based volume rendering of CT datasets

In radiology, the reading of large CT volumes is a time consuming task. Interactive volume rendering (iVRT) is a promising new technique. Using dedicated hardware (VP1000, Terarecon Inc.) it can now be realized on a standard PC in a cost effective manner. For this purpose, a program built using the Visualization Toolkit with integrated functionality for the VP 1000 is used for almost real-time iVRT (8-9 frames/second). It is possible to embed opaque and translucent polygon surfaces (e.g., segmented structures). By interactively varying the opacity, color and gradient transfer functions as well as using freely placable cutting planes, the visualization can easily be adapted to different diagnostic needs.