Three-Dimensional Computer Reconstruction from Surface Contours for Head CT Examinations

A three-dimensional surface reconstruction algorithm based on contour information from anatomic sites as identified on computed tomography examinations is presented. This algorithm efficiently reconstructs the surfaces between the contours using a triangular "tiling" method. A three-dimensional perspective view of the reconstructed surfaces is provided by a gray scale cathode-ray tube computer graphics system. Volume and surface area estimations are provided as a direct results of the surface reconstruction algorithm. Three cases are presented to illustrate the three-dimensional surface reconstruction algorithm.