Three-dimensional graphic renderings of cardiac magnetic resonance images

A method of constructing a three-dimensional computer model of the human heart from respiratory and cardiac gated magnetic resonance images (MRI) is reported. This model can be animated according to motion derived from the MR images. The ability to section the model in any plane and orientation to examine internal structure is also reported. Functional images can be generated for education of medical students. The images allow the student to simulate myocardial infarctions and other disease states with high-resolution computer graphics. Other functional images, such as 3-D volumes, have been rendered to aid clinicians in the interpretation of planar MR scans. Normal and abnormal regions are highlighted with color and referenced to the original MR images