Medical Modelling

The Application of Advanced Design and Development Techniques in Medicine

Richard Bibb, Dominic Eggbeer, Abby Paterson

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2006
• ISBN:
  9781845692001
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Research into medical modelling and the application of design and product development technologies in medicine and surgery requires a multidisciplinary approach. Designed to be accessible to all disciplines, with medical and technical terms explained as clearly and simply as possible, Medical modelling provides a genuinely useful text to help the broadest possible range of professionals to understand not only the technologies, techniques and methods, but also what is required to apply them in medical treatments.Medical modelling describes steps in the process from acquisition of medical scan data, transfer and translation of data formats, methods of utilising the data and finally using the information to produce physical models using rapid prototyping techniques for use in surgery or prosthetic rehabilitation. Technologies are fully described, highlighting their key characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. A series of case studies illustrates a broad range of medical applications. These case studies are taken from the collective experience of the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research, Medical Applications Group and their clinical partners, and have been chosen to reflect the widest possible variety of techniques used. Future developments in technology and applications in this dynamic and fast-moving field are also considered.This book will appeal to the wide variety of professionals who undertake collaborative research, development and treatment of human physical conditions using advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques and technologies, including medical and clinical engineers and physicists, clinical technologists, rehabilitation engineers, design engineers in medical device design and manufacture, consultant surgeons and specialists in, for example, orthopaedics, orthodontics, and prosthetics.

• A comprehensive review of design and development technologies in medicine
• Designed to be accessible to all disciplines, with medical and technical terms explained as clearly and simply as possible
• Includes a series of case studies

1

Introduction

Publisher Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the book, “Medical Modelling”, which describes some of the many possibilities, techniques, and challenges involved in the field of medical modeling. Medical modeling, sometimes called biomodeling, is the creation of highly accurate physical models of human anatomy directly from medical scan data. The process involves capturing human anatomy data, processing the data to isolate individual tissue or organs, optimizing the data for the technology to be used, and finally building the model using Rapid Prototyping [“RP”] techniques. Rapid prototyping is the general name coined to describe computer-controlled machines that are able to manufacture physical items directly from three-dimensional computer data. Originally, these machines were developed to enable designers and engineers to build models of objects they had designed using Computer-Aided Design software [“CAD”]. These prototypes allowed them to ensure that what they had designed on-screen fit together with all of the other components of the product being developed. Therefore, the machines were quickly developed to produce models of very high accuracy as rapidly as possible.

1.1 Background

The purpose of this book is to describe some of the many possibilities, techniques and challenges involved in the field of medical modelling. Medical modelling, sometimes called biomodelling, is the creation of highly accurate physical models of human anatomy directly from medical scan data. The process involves capturing human anatomy data, processing the data to isolate individual tissue or organs, optimising the data for the technology to be used and finally building the model using rapid prototyping (RP) techniques. Rapid prototyping is the general name coined to describe computer-controlled machines that are able to manufacture physical items directly from three-dimensional computer data. Originally, these machines were developed to enable designers and engineers to build models of objects they had designed using computer-aided design software (CAD). These prototypes allowed them to ensure that what they had designed onscreen fitted together with all of the other components of the product being developed. Therefore, the machines were quickly developed to produce models of very high accuracy as rapidly as possible.

In the 1990s, it was realised that RP machines could utilise other types of three-dimensional computer data, such as that obtained from medical scanners. Software was developed to enable the medical scan data to interface with the RP machines and medical modelling began. Since then the field has developed enormously to cover all kinds of applications ranging from forensic science to reconstructive surgery. Early success and clear demonstration of benefits has led to widespread interest in the technologies from many medical specialities. However, with each development more and more clinicians, surgeons, engineers and researchers are realising the potential benefits of RP techniques, which in turn places new challenges on those people whose job it is to build these models.

This book aims to describe the stages required to produce high quality medical models and offer an insight into the techniques and technologies that are commonly used. Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 follow the logical sequence of stages in the medical modelling process as shown in Table 1.1. Each chapter describes the technologies and processes used in each stage in general terms for those not familiar with them or new to the field, whilst the following case studies illustrate a number of diverse applications that have been carried out in recent years. Where appropriate, the case studies include cross-references to particular sections of Chapters 2–5 as a reminder, to eliminate repetition or to enable the reader to begin by reading case studies and then find the relevant technical information easily without necessarily having to read the whole book in chapter order.

Table 1.1

The stages of the medical modelling process

Step 1
Medical imaging for rapid prototyping
Select the optimal modality
Set appropriate protocols
Scan the patient

Step 2
Export data media and format
Export the data from the scanner in an appropriate format
Transfer it to the RP laboratory

Step 3
Working with medical scan data
Isolate data relating to the tissues or organs to be modelled
Save and transfer the data in the correct format for the RP process to be used

Step 4
Physical reproduction – rapid prototyping technologies
Building the model
Cleaning, finishing or sterilising as required
Deliver the model to the clinician

By its very nature, medical modelling has brought together the fields of engineering and medicine. Consequently, this book aims to satisfy the needs of both fields as they work together on medical modelling. Therefore, whilst it is not possible to cover every medical or technical definition here, this chapter offers a brief introduction to some anatomical terminology for the benefit of engineers new to the field, whilst later chapters and the case studies in particular include additional notes to explain specialist technical or medical terms as and when they occur. Where such an explanation requires a longer or more detailed description an explanatory note may be found in Chapter 8, which also contains glossaries of technical and medical terms and abbreviations. There are also recommendations for further reading at the end of some chapters to enable those with particular interests to develop their knowledge further.

Whilst this book is essentially technical in nature it is important to consider that it also addresses genuine human needs and consequently there is due consideration for patients and ethics. Therefore, throughout this book, illustrations and case studies have been made anonymous and where necessary permission granted.

1.2 The human form

The human body is the most significant physical form that we possess or encounter. Our physical form is inextricably bound up with our minds and behaviour. It influences but also responds to our lifestyle choices and combined with our character defines us as individuals. Our physical form defines how we appear to others and it affects our perception of ourselves. It displays our health and fitness and even our attractiveness to our loved ones. It enables us to recognise any one individual amongst the six billion fellow humans with which we share the planet.

In addition to its undeniable importance, our physical form is perhaps one of the most complex shapes we encounter in life. Its importance to us makes us sensitive to the tiniest of details and the subtlest of contours. This complexity combined with our sensitivity to the human form has provided perhaps the pre-eminent challenge to artists in our history. Through drawing, painting and sculpture, artists have striven to capture what it is that makes us human and how that is expressed through our physical form and appearance.

In terms of medicine, the human body is both...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Related titles:
• Copyright
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Medical imaging for rapid prototyping
• Chapter 3: Export data format and media
• Chapter 4: Working with medical scan data
• Chapter 5: Physical reproduction – rapid prototyping technologies
• Chapter 6: Case studies
• Chapter 7: Future developments
• Glossary and explanatory notes
• Bibliography
• Index