Animation technology

摘要

A method for creating an animated image of the bones of a body part is described. The steps include converting Computed Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 2-dimensional cross-sectional images (slices) into 3-dimensional images of individual bones (FIG. 1). A first ordered series of slices of a body part in a first position is converted into a 3-dimensional representation of the skeleton of the body part and then a second ordered series of slices of the same body part in a different position is converted. The converted images are then used to create a step frame animation of the movement of the skeleton of the body part. Additional ordered series of slices of the body part in other intermediate positions could be used in the step frame animation. The steps of the method may also include the process of separating the bones if they are depicted as cojoined in a slice (FIGS. 6 and 7). The method can also include the identification of isometric points (FIGS. 8 to 11) on the separated bones to aid a clinician in the diagnosis of a problem or abnormality as well as assist in the application of "what if" surgical procedures on the digital representation of the skeleton of the scanned body part. The method can also include steps that create movement of the bones of the body part by applying rules of motion for one or more points on the separated bones of the scanned body part.