M .Tech.

CIM MEDICAL MODEL 2018

Medical Model
The Physical Models of the various parts of the human body built directly using the CT or MRI data
are called Medical Models. The scanned data that is stored in the computer system of the scanning
machine is directly used for processing through software and then the same is built on a computer-
controlled Rapid Prototyping Machine.
The building of RP models of anatomical structures involves the following steps.
The steps involved in the entire process are as follows:-

 Reading the data from various scanning systems - Data acquisition with medical equipment
CT scans, MRI scans, 3D ultra sound
 Selecting the appropriate region of interest
 Interpolating the data; within a slice and also across the slices
 Converting it to a format that is suitable for the Rapid Prototyping machine - Generation of
STL files from the scan data – MIMICS & Magics software for segmentation of scanned
images and generation of STL files
 Transferring the data from the computer to the machine
 Building of the model by the machine - Building RP models from the generated STL files
Any RP technology can be employed.

CT Covert

Flowchart diagram on the conversion of scanned data to physical 3D model

The inputs for a Medical Model

a) Data on MOD
The data (2D images) from the CT or MRI machine on a 5.25” Magneto-Optical-Disk (MOD. 3D
reconstruction is not necessary on the scanning system.
b) Film of images

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M .Tech. CIM MEDICAL MODEL 2018

One set of print of the images which clearly mention orientations (L, R, A, P, T & B) and the region
of interest marked-up on it.A scan can be split into multiple regions based on the specific
requirement of the case and each of these regions can be built separately. Each of these models can
be subsequently replicated into various types of materials, rigid (transparent or opaque) or flexible
(regular, semi- & highly). Such replicas are useful for distributing to attendees of surgical
workshops.
Material of Medical Models
The first model that is made is of ABS equivalent plastic. This material is sufficiently strong and
does not break under normal handling. A variety of manufacturing/surgical processes can be
performed on these e.g. sawing, chipping, drilling, tapping, pasting with glue or screws or tapes etc.
It is very useful for surgical rehearsals. The subsequent replicas can be made of a variety of
materials that are castable up to 50degC. There are materials that simulate various grades of plastic
or rubber. Besides, the graft material can also be used in the molds that are cast from the first plastic
model. Fine Nylon medical grade – SLS Stereocol resin - SLA
Benefits of Medical Models
RP Technologies are applied in the medical domain for building models that provide visual and
tactile information. In the complex cases, the surgeons will find these models to be most useful. The
key benefits of these models can be broadly classified as:
Operation Planning – To study procedures - The models provide a very close-to-real information
about the condition of the particular anatomical region at the time of scanning. Hence surgeons can
much more easily understand physical problems and gain a better insight into the operations to be
performed. This also helps in pre-operative planning, communication between professionals of
multiple disciplines and for teaching at institutes or special workshops. RP models can also assist
surgeons in communicating the proposed surgical procedures to the patients.
Surgery rehearsal – For rehearsing - These models serve as useful dummies for rehearsing the
complex surgical procedures. These can be cut &/or joined in various combinations to verify and
ensure that the final result is as expected by the surgeon. Such rehearsals can lead to changes in
surgical procedures and significantly reduce risk
Training – To train students- RP models of specimens of unusual medical deformities can be built
to facilitate the training of student surgeons and radiologists. Such models can also be employed for
student examination.
Prosthesis design - To prepare master pattern - As the CT or MRI scan provides very accurate data
on the anatomy, the implant developed based on it will also be highly accurate. The ability of
making mirrored models on the computer itself, adds to the various possibilities of working.
Implants produced in this way are more accurate and cost effective than those produced by
conventional techniques
. Some of the areas where the surgeons have seen the benefits are:
a) Orthopedics: - Fractures, Dislocation & Deformity, Implants & Graft Preparations
b) Cosmetic / Plastic: - Facial reconstruction
c) Neurology: - Cranioplasty and other Skull deformities
d) Oncology: - Tumour Analysis & Replacements
Mimics
Materialise's Interactive Medical Image Control System (MIMICS) is an interactive tool for the
visualization and segmentation of CT images as well as MRI images and 3D rendering of objects.

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M .Tech. CIM MEDICAL MODEL 2018

Therefore, in the medical field MIMICS can be used for diagnostic, operation planning or rehearsal
purposes. A very flexible interface to rapid prototyping systems is included for building distinctive
segmentation objects.
Mimics is a fully integrated, user-friendly 3D image processing and editing software that translates
the CT or MRI data into 3D CAD, FEA or Rapid Prototyping (STL) data formats, facilitating the
rapid development of products such as implants, aiding planning and design, and subsequent
surgical implantation. With its FEA Module, Mimics offers a direct link from scanned images to
Finite Element Analysis model data by exporting the files in the appropriate file format. 3D objects
are calculated based on the scanned images and finite element meshes can be generated. The
Remesher in the Mimics FEA Module assures that one ends up with the most optimal input for the
FEA package. Materials can be assigned to the volumetric meshes, based on the Hounsfield Units in
the scanned images. The software enables the surgeon or the radiologist to control and correct the
segmentation of CT-scans and MRI-scans. For instance, image artifacts coming from metal implants
can easily be removed.

The object(s) to be visualized and/or produced can be defined exactly by medical staff. No technical
knowledge is needed for creating on screen 3D visualizations of medical objects (a crane, pelvis,
etc.) MIMICS is a general purpose segmentation program for gray value images. It can process any
number of 2D image slices (rectangular images are allowed).

Mimics is a software suite that performs the segmentation of the anatomy through
sophisticated three-dimensional selection and editing tools. The method adopted for visualisation is
the conversion of 2D image slice data, as grey value images. The resolution can vary from 0.2 to 1
mm. The program also generates high-resolution 3D renderings in different colours directly from
the slice information, Contrast enhancement can be carried out interactively to improve the model.
The segmentation mask can be displayed in a different colour on top of the image. After
visualisation, the data can be interfaced to CTM. CTM is a software suite that interpolates the
medical slice in very thin layers, and interfaces directly with most RP systems

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