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Automated brain extraction and immersive exploration of its layers in virtual reality for the rhesus macaque MRI data sets
Author(s) -
Luo Yanlin,
Gao Bin,
Deng Yiyi,
Zhu Xiaoming,
Jiang Tianzi,
Zhao Xudong,
Yang Zhengyi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
computer animation and virtual worlds
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.225
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1546-427X
pISSN - 1546-4261
DOI - 10.1002/cav.1841
Subject(s) - computer science , rhesus macaque , macaque , virtual reality , rendering (computer graphics) , volume rendering , artificial intelligence , ray casting , usability , computer vision , human–computer interaction , neuroscience , biology , immunology
As we know, the rhesus macaque as a nonhuman primate is quite similar to a human being in genetics. Moreover, it has become essential in animal model anatomy and physiology in many modern medicine research such as the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the recent years. This paper describes a pipeline from the raw rhesus macaque brain magnetic resonance imaging data to intuitive 3D inspection of its layers. Brain extraction is an initial step for subsequent analyses, but most of the existing methods so far are designed for human brain, which does not work well with the rhesus macaque. Firstly, we propose a reliable and efficient method to extract the brain from magnetic resonance imaging data sets based on dividing the brain into blocks. Then, we design a trapezoid opacity transfer function based on Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA)‐based real‐time volume ray casting, which is dedicated to volume rendering to make the inspection more intuitive. Besides, for an immersive exploration in virtual reality benefits understanding the volumetric data sets, so we also design a layer filter for the segmented rhesus macaque brain data sets, which facilitates the inspection of the interior in Region of Interest (ROI) by an intuitive bimanual interaction via a Leap Motion sensor. Our experiments prove usability and efficiency.