A digital model for lumbar motion segment reconstruction and three-dimensional visualization / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a digital model for reconstruction and three-dimensional visualization of lumbar motion segment from CT images.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on 64 row spiral CT continuous 2-dimensional images of L4-L5 segments, the lumbar structure and various soft tissues were reconstructed with the Mimics software, followed by validation of this model using finite element analysis software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The established three-dimensional digital model of lumbar motion segment included two vertebral bodies, cortical bone, cancellous bone, endplate, annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus and 6 types of ligaments. The output result of the digital model can be used to for research of computer aided design, rapid rototyping and finite element analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The application of thin-layer CT and Dicom standard ensures more accurate digital model establishment, and Mimics software allows more convenient reconstruction of the human skeleton and various soft tissues to facilitate further research.</p>