Fast algorithm for soft straightening of the colon

Rationale and Objectives. In this study, the authors developed a fast algorithm for soft straightening of the colon with computed tomographic data that greatly accelerates the unraveling process based on the interpolation of representative electric force lines. Materials and Methods. Each curved cross section of the colon is defined by electric force lines of a common origin on an electrically charged central path and is constructed by interpolating most of these force lines from a limited number of representative force lines that are traced directly. Both a synthetic colon phantom and a colon in a living patient were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the fast interpolation algorithm compared with direct implementation for soft straightening of the colon. Results. The interpolation-based soft-straightening algorithm ran approximately 40 times faster than the direct implementation of the electric field-based soft-straightening algorithm. Conclusion. The fast algorithm for soft straightening of the colon has potential for use in computed tomographic colonography.