Accuracy of medical RP models

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generate facsimiled rapid prototyping (RP) models for medical analysis that demands an answer about the accuracy of medical models.

Design/methodology/approach

The RP technology for anatomical biomodeling is the accurate RP procedure of milling and joining, a method that is used to produce high accurate functional prototypes. To fabricate medical prototypes with RP, there is a need to get appropriate data information. Along that process, image data will be taken by computer‐tomography (CT) images as data basis. The key process is to generate a digital three‐dimensional (3D) model that represents the original object as best as possible. To be able to make a statement about the accuracy of such a model the necessary parameters run along a CT scan are of interest.

Findings

A case study using a generated test model is presented in order to show the process accuracy in relation to the chosen scan parameters. The quality of editing CT images for a 3D‐reconstruction as a necessary pre‐process for RP is, to an important degree, based on the used scan parameters.

Originality/value

This paper represents a cutting‐edge analysis that gives answers about the constrictive accuracy that is achievable for medical RP models.

Citation

Mallepree, T. and Bergers, D. (2009), "Accuracy of medical RP models", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 325-332. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552540910993842