Modeling And Graphic Display System For Cardiolvascular Research Using Random 3-D Data

A generalized interactive modeling and graphical display system is being developed to treat 3-D random data. The modeling system generates an estimated surface using either a weighted average of a family of nearest neighbors or a bicubic surface patching technique. From such a model geometric properties can be calculated. Preliminary tests of the method using canine left venticles suggest that volume and surface area can be estimated within 10% of the true values. The modeled surface can be displayed as a wire-frame or shaded solid. The system can interactively display the model frame by frame with or without the original data points. A display mode is being implemented that allows displaying the model using animation techniques to simulate a beating heart.