Reconstruction of a finite element model of intracranial aneurysms based on CT images

Abstract

Objective To establish a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of intracranial aneurysms based on CT images for three-dimensional simulation of the hemodynamics in the aneurysms. Methods CT angiographic (CTA) images of the intracranial aneurysms were obtained using a GE Lightspeed 16-slice spiral CT with the slice thickness of 0.625 mm at the interval of 0.5 mm. The original Dicom format images were directly imported using the Mimics software. Threshold-based combined with manual segmentation of the images was carried out to acquire the region of interest including the aneurysm and parent artery, followed by 3D calculations of the images. The 3D model was remeshed and exported as an area mesh file to Ansys. The area-based file was then converted into an IGES file in Ansys, and exported to the Ansys workbench software to generate the volumetric mesh for further homodynamic study. Results A 3D finite element model of intracranial aneurysm was established, and the area mesh file could be directly introduced into Ansys software to allow homodynamic study of the aneurysm. Conclusion The application of thin-layer CT scanning and the Dicom standard allows more accurate reconstruction of the 3D finite element model of intracranial aneurysms. The Mimics software can greatly improve the efficiency ofintracranial aneurysm model reconstruction. Key words: Tomography, X-ray computed; Intracranial aneurysms; Finite element model