A Simplified Method for Conversion of Lumbar Spine CT Images into Three-Dimensional Solid Model

Abstract

The human spinal column is the most complicated part of the human musculoskeletal system. It is susceptible to various injuries caused either by impact loading due to accidents or by multiple sports activities. Different techniques were developed to cure the patients affected by spine injuries, but the prediction of results to spinal injury problems is still controversial. In this study, we have identified the simplest approach to convert the CT images into a three-dimensional solid model. The present work aims to develop the simplest methodology to convert the CT images into a surface model of considered vertebral sections L2-L4. In the next step, the surface model was converted to a solid model. The procedure adopted may be useful to generate the solid model of other vertebral and various body sections. The approach may also be utilized to perform various finite element analyses for the development of novel spinal implants.