A system for 3D modelling of bone structures

The work describes a system developed for the synthesis of 3D images of anatomical structures. The system is based on a workstation that has been implemented for the acquisition of volumetric data derived from destructive testing of bone samples. The sample to be examined is embedded in resin and fixed on a rotating board that is located under a moving platform transporting a tool (for example a cutter) and a black and white or color TV camera. The sample is positioned under the tool and worked according to the parameters inserted by the user, then the board rotates until the sample is viewed by the camera and the image of the finished surface is taken; this cycle is repeated according to the user's specifications. Thanks to the high mechanical precision of the device, the images obtained at different depths are accurately registered; volumetric matrices of data can be constructed and used for the 3D rendering of iso-surfaces and for tomographic reconstruction employing parameters inserted by the user. This way, anatomical models are obtained, that can be used for didactic, to simulate techniques for surgical demolition and to design prosthesis model for the morphological reconstruction of the middle ear. Envisaged applications include the construction of multidimensional reference models to be used in medicine, botany, mineralogy, the morphological analysesof the surfaces of finished samples and the investigation of their internal structure.