Complex Anatomies in Medical Rapid Prototyping

Abstract

-The complex anatomy of the nasal airways is an anatomy that is difficult to understand from conventional twodimensional anatomy images. The objective of the present study was to establish the methods and parameters necessary to provide three-dimensional triangulated models for Rapid Prototyping. Anatomical data derive from scanned medical images made with computerized tomography. Different data sets of nasal airway structures were segmented and 3D reconstructed. With high-resolution scans, accurate segmentation of the structures was possible. The reconstructed and triangulated models were evaluated in order to determine triangulation parameters that are needed for Rapid Prototyping models. Gaining insight in the interplay of parameters necessary for modeling complex anatomies for Rapid Prototyping enables to provide accurate Rapid Prototyping models for biomedical engineering applications.