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Performing Real-Time Interactive Fiber Tracking

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Abstract

Fiber tracking is a technique that, based on a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging dataset, locates the fiber bundles in the human brain. Because it is a computationally expensive process, the interactivity of current fiber tracking tools is limited. We propose a new approach, which we termed real-time interactive fiber tracking, which aims at providing a rich and intuitive environment for the neuroradiologist. In this approach, fiber tracking is executed automatically every time the user acts upon the application. Particularly, when the volume of interest from which fiber trajectories are calculated is moved on the screen, fiber tracking is executed, even while it is being moved. We present our fiber tracking tool, which implements the real-time fiber tracking concept by using the video card’s graphics processing units to execute the fiber tracking algorithm. Results show that real-time interactive fiber tracking is feasible on computers equipped with common, low-cost video cards.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Antonio Carlos dos Santos, from the Faculty of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, for his help evaluating the fiber tracking tool.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Departamento de Informática e Estatística, 88040-970, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Adiel Mittmann, Tiago H. C. Nobrega, Eros Comunello & Aldo von Wangenheim

  2. University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-970, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Juliano P. O. Pinto

  3. Department of Neurology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany

    Paulo R. Dellani

  4. Institute for Neuroradiology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany

    Peter Stoeter

Authors
  1. Adiel Mittmann
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  2. Tiago H. C. Nobrega
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  3. Eros Comunello
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  4. Juliano P. O. Pinto
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  5. Paulo R. Dellani
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  6. Peter Stoeter
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  7. Aldo von Wangenheim
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Correspondence to Adiel Mittmann.

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Mittmann, A., Nobrega, T.H.C., Comunello, E. et al. Performing Real-Time Interactive Fiber Tracking. J Digit Imaging 24, 339–351 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-009-9266-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-009-9266-9

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