Adult femur CT modeling and 3D automatic measurement of anatomical parameters

Abstract

Objective: To reconstruct a 3D model from adult femur CT scan data and automate a measurement of femoral anatomical parameters to study the characteristics of Chinese femur anatomical parameters. Methods: Using Mimics17.0, models from the CT data of 148 adult patients were established. The completed model was imported into Geomagic Studio and the anatomical landmarks of the femur were extracted to establish 3D coordinate system and unified coordinate system. Programmed with Matlab, using the nearest point iterative ICP algorithm and the 3D automatic extraction algorithm of anatomical landmarks to provide precision positioning, the femoral anatomical parameters were automatically measured and analyzed. The data were compared by using independent sample t test. Results: In this group, the diameter of the male femoral condyle was (84.1±3.6) mm, and it was (74.8±3.3) mm in the female; the anteroposterior diameter of the male femoral condyle was (66.5±3.7) mm, and it was (61.2±3.5) mm in the female; the diameter of the male ball head was (48.8±2.1) mm and it was (43.4±2.2) mm in the female; the differences between the two genders were all statistically significant (t=16.21, 8.84, 15.20, all P<0.05). The male femoral moment radius was (112.5±24.5) mm, and it was (124.7±19.2) mm in the female (t=3.30, P=0.002). The neck angle in male participants was 124.9°±4.0°, and it was 126.1°±5.5° in the female (t=1.40, P>0.05). As the height growed, most of the anatomical parameters increased accordingly. Conclusions: The 3D automatic measurement of femoral anatomical parameters is more reproducible and accurate than manual measurement. It is necessary to establish and enrich the femoral anatomical database to design and develop internal fixation products that meet the needs of Chinese people.