Can anyone guide me how to create 3D models of human flesh/skin adjoining human bones using CT or MRI data using segmentation method? Which tool is to be used to process such medical imaging datasets for soft tissues MRI/CT scan data?
The software I prefer, called 3DSlicer (https://www.slicer.org/). It's free to use and it's not too hard to learn if you're new to working with DICOM files. If you're interested in tissues, MRI is the way to go, CT is great for bone though.
You didn't ask specifically, but here's a great resource to learn how to work with the scans and to download scans. It's super useful if you're new to working with medical scans: https://www.embodi3d.com/
Hi, I'm sorry because I'm not sure if you mean exterior flesh as in skin. If that's the case then CT would be fine. If you're referring to ligaments, which attach bone to bone then an MRI is generally needed.
For example, I've attached two images, the first is a CT scan of a knee (named Knee CT). It's not my scan (I don't own it and did not perform the scan), but it gives you an idea of what you can see from a CT.
The second is a knee scan I've personally worked with in 3D slicer, this is an MRI scan ( named Knee MRI) and you can see the difference. In the CT scan you cannot really visualize the ligaments, while the MRI makes them very easy to see. They are there and you may be able to make them out, but it will be work to do it that way.
Again, I assume there is a slight language barrier here, so hopefully i'm answering the question you're asking. If not, just let me know and I'll do my best to explain further. Best of luck!
Sir, Thanks for reply in detail. I have to model flesh adjoining bones in human body and assemble flesh over bones. In that case, will CT sufficient or MRI is required? How to make flesh with internal grooves with variable thickness so that it can be aligned properly on bony structure? Is there any specific technique in 3D Slicer?
Okay, it sounds like you really are modeling skin around the joint, sorry for misunderstanding. I had assumed you were actually talking internal connections. CT scans will work, it's difficult, but you can do it. The difference between MRI and CT scans is that CT scans are basically fancy x-rays so they see bone really well and other tissues not so great. MRI scans (this is very simplified) use water, so tissue is easy to see and bone is harder to separate based on the contrast. So in short, yes CT will work, but if you can MRI would almost certainly give you a better and easier outcome.
It's been awhile since I taught this class, but I pulled out some of my old demo slides and created a PDF to help you. Note that these slides are ~6-7 years old now so there are other methods to do this, but at the time this was my preferred method. The links at the end may or may not work (specifically the knee atlas and DICOM repository listed.
The method outlined is easy enough for you to follow along as someone new to working with DICOM files, which is why I started my class with this approach, but it's a lot of "by hand" work instead of letting the computer do it for you. Hopefully this will help get you started, it's a bit of work, but if you take your time you'll end up with a good result.
The demo is modeling the bones of the knee (from an MRI, so you can use MRI or CT for either case, but it's more work), but you can do the same with skin and other tissues. Just adjust the threshold until the areas are roughly highlighted then touch up the segments based on what you are trying to model. This comment will make more sense to you once you read the slides and start on your model.