Geometric model reconstruction from cross sections for branched structures in medical applications

Current visualization techniques cannot provide very useful tools for quantitative analysis, high level geometric and topological representations, and structural understanding of the anatomical objects. Geometric modeling approach can be more effective for such applications. This paper describes our initial effort in modeling the geometric shapes of branched tubular structures. A model reconstruction algorithm is developed to generate bicubic C¹ B_spline surface models for branched structures based on cross section data. Such surface models can then be systematically operated and manipulated in a geometric modeler being developed in CIEMED.