System and method for performing a virtual endoscopy in a branching structure

摘要

A system and method for performing a virtual endoscopy in a branching structure is provided. The method comprises the steps of: determining an initial viewpoint and viewing direction of a virtual endoscope in a branching structure; casting a plurality of rays from the initial viewpoint along the viewing direction; and determining an occurrence of a branch in the branching structure, wherein the occurrence is associated with a cluster that corresponds to the branch.