From Medical Image to Finite Element Grid

For the purpose of anatomically accurate numerical model generation from medical images, an integrated software system of medical image processing, 3D reconstruction and finite element grid generation has been developed based on the visualization toolkit. Three functional modules of image segmentation, surface reconstruction and finite element mesh generation are involved in the system. It can convert slice medical images automatically into various format of numerical models, including finite element mesh, computer aided design solid model and rapid prototyped surface model, which bridges the gaps between medical imaging and biome-chanics simulation, surgical planning and rapid manufacturing.