The main issue for segmentation is to separate the different structures by erasing their mesh connections. Several other functions are available, including color painting of the objects, sculpting the objects (inflate, smooth, flatten, etc) with brushes, and plane cutting to divide the mesh.
We use the following functions of Meshmixer_ directly available through the following function keys: i) E extends the selection to all connected points ii) Y separates the selection and creates a new layer iii) X erases the selection and iv) I inverts the selection. The aim of Meshmixer® is to clean the file by erasing the small isolated pieces, and to perform a further segmentation of its anatomical structures, mainly veins and bones. The left mouse button is for selection of objects or menu options. We first open the obj file exported by Horos® Manipulation of the mesh model is controlled through the right mouse button (3D move), through dragging the mouse wheel down (translation), and through wheel roll (zoom). This could be done using the export menu (gray wheel on the toolbar). The huge 3D vectorial “mesh” model that is thus obtained has to be exported into “obj” or “STL” format. Setup of Horos SR parameters to obtain different
The skin and lungs could also be segmented during the same process by choosing a second structure and choosing -300 as the pixel value of the second surface.įigure 4.
These parameters could be refined as necessary. In most cases, the pixel value will be 100 and resolution, 90% to obtain a good segmentation of the bone and injected vessels. For this, we set up the parameters to obtain different segmentations of the tissues ( Figure 4). The protocol for easy building of 3D vectorial models is 3D surface rendering. These seven are multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), curved MPR, orthogonal MPR, maximum intensity projection (MIP), volume rendering (VRT), surface rendering (SR), and virtual endoscopy. Then choose a reconstruction protocol by clicking on the gray wheel located on the toolbar and selecting one of the seven 3D protocols listed in the menu ( Figure 3). This opens the 2D window showing the slices. Workshop presented at Charing Cross 2019Īnd Krakow’s 2019 International Union of Phlebology (UIP) Chapter meetings.Īfter opening the list of the DICOM® exams, click to display the patient’s file. Methodology of 3D printing of educational models of venous anatomy. The primary aim of the UNESCO Chair of Digital Anatomy (Paris University) is the dissemination and sharing of digital tools and models for educational anatomy (Figure 2.
In the field of anatomy and in surgical simulations, 3D modeling of the human body is revolutionary. The resulting 3D models are easily displayed and handled on a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone and could be shared within 3D-model communities on the web.
The 3D reconstruction is possible through use of three software freely available on the internet: Horos® (Mac computers only), Meshmixer®, and Cura®. Data are provided by computed tomographic (CT) venography.
This paper explains how to build and print 3D models of the veins. In addition to anatomical information, color Duplex ultrasound also provides essential hemodynamic data for the treatment of each particular patient. A global 3D depiction of the whole venous morphology will help the hemodynamical mapping achieved by color Duplex ultrasound. To evaluate patients with chronic venous disorders, in the case of complex anatomy or recurrent varices after surgery (REVAS), three-dimensional (3D) modeling of the venous system is often a great support. Digital anatomy has more and more applications in medicine and surgery, thanks to the progress in imaging and power of computer software.