Anat Cell Biol.  2011 Jun;44(2):151-159. 10.5115/acb.2011.44.2.151.

Surface models of the male urogenital organs built from the Visible Korean using popular software

• Shin DS
• Park JS
• Shin BS
• Chung MS

• KMID: 1447425
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2011.44.2.151

Abstract

Unlike volume models, surface models, which are empty three-dimensional images, have a small file size, so they can be displayed, rotated, and modified in real time. Thus, surface models of male urogenital organs can be effectively applied to an interactive computer simulation and contribute to the clinical practice of urologists. To create high-quality surface models, the urogenital organs and other neighboring structures were outlined in 464 sectioned images of the Visible Korean male using Adobe Photoshop; the outlines were interpolated on Discreet Combustion; then an almost automatic volume reconstruction followed by surface reconstruction was performed on 3D-DOCTOR. The surface models were refined and assembled in their proper positions on Maya, and a surface model was coated with actual surface texture acquired from the volume model of the structure on specially programmed software. In total, 95 surface models were prepared, particularly complete models of the urinary and genital tracts. These surface models will be distributed to encourage other investigators to develop various kinds of medical training simulations. Increasingly automated surface reconstruction technology using commercial software will enable other researchers to produce their own surface models more effectively.

Keyword

Urogenital system; Visible Human Projects; Computer-assisted image processing; Three-dimensional imaging

MeSH Terms

Computer Simulation
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Male
Research Personnel
Urogenital System
Visible Human Projects

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Non-overlapped outlines of a thin structure. (B) Separate volume models. (C) Overlapped outlines produced by interpolation. (D) Combined volume models.

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  Fig. 2 Surface reconstruction of a schematic structure (top row), a schematic dividing structure (middle row), and a kidney (bottom row). (A) Combined volume models. (B) Surface model consisting of stacked outlines and polygons. (C) Refined surface model consisting of no stacked outlines and fewer polygons.

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  Fig. 3 (A) Stacked outlines of the structures. (B) Surface model of the urinary bladder, which was placed to fit its stacked outlines.

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  Fig. 4 Surface models of the urogenital system and neighboring structures that are selected differently for display.

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  Fig. 5 (A) Surface models of the urethra and surrounding external urethral sphincter. (B) Manually drawn surface models of bulbourethral glands and their ducts. (C) Surface models of the penis, internal pudendal artery, and proximal part of the dorsal artery of penis. (D) Extended surface model of the dorsal artery of penis.

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  Fig. 6 (A) Surface models of testes. (B) Surface model of the left testis, which is coated with surface texture.

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  Fig. 7 Surface model of the urogenital organs superimposed on a sectioned image.

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