Program for generation of three-dimensional finite element mesh from magnetic resonance imaging scans of human limbs

Aritan S., Dabnichki P., Bartlett R.

MEDICAL ENGINEERING & PHYSICS, vol.19, no.8, pp.681-689, 1997 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 1997
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/s1350-4533(97)00039-8
  • Journal Name: MEDICAL ENGINEERING & PHYSICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.681-689
  • Keywords: image processing, finite element modelling, limb, STRESS
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: No

Abstract

A PC–AT based program for conversion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans into coordinate input for finite element mesh generation is presented. The program is written in Borland C++3.1 and is compatible with every general-use personal computer, permitting the use of MS-DOS 3.0 or higher with a Microsoft mouse. The program is menu driven and does not demand specialised knowledge from the user. The system and memory requirements are minimal — 640 kB RAM — and it runs as a stand-alone program. A second program allows the construction of a three-dimensional representation of the limb sub-structure and generation of the FE mesh from the converted cross-sectional scans. The capabilities of the program are demonstrated using cross-sectional scans of the upper arm; the fat, muscle and bone contours were obtained to a very high level of precision (0.4 mm).

A PC-AT based program for conversion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans into coordinate input for finite element mesh generation is presented. The program is written in Borland C + +3.1 and is compatible with every general-use personal computer, permitting the use of MS-DOS3.0 or higher with a Microsoft mouse. The program is menu driven and does not demand specialised knowledge from the user. The system and memory requirements are minimal -640 kB RAM - and it runs as a stand-alone program. A second program allows the construction of a three-dimensional representation of the limb sub-structure and generation of the FE mesh from the converted cross-sectional scans. The capabilities of the program are demonstrated using cross-sectional scans of the upper arm; the fat, muscle and bone contours were obtained to a very high level of precision (0.4,nm). (C) 1997 IPEM Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.