Evolving era of multidimensional medical imaging.

Abstract

Currently, computer-assisted imaging can visualize very fast or very slow nonvisible motion events. We can create measurable geometric representations of physiology, including transformation, blood flow velocity, perfusion, pressure, contractility, image features, electricity, metabolism, and a vast number of other constantly changing parameters. The greatest attribute is the ability to present physiologic phenomena as easily understood geometric images more suited to the human's four-dimensional comprehension of reality. The key research challenges are to discover new visual metaphors for representing information, understand the analysis tasks that they support, and associate relevant information to create new information.