A 3D Convex Hull algorithm for modelling medical data in a virtual environment
by Fadi Yaacoub, Yskandar Hamam, Antoine Abche
International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications (IJISTA), Vol. 5, No. 1/2, 2008

Abstract: Computer-based surgical simulation systems are one of the most recent technologies in Virtual Reality (VR). These intelligent systems have become the training method and the tool to acquire valuable information for many medical students. They allow the students to interact with the anatomical structures by modelling and displaying virtual objects on the computer screen. Since a real object does not have a deterministic shape, it is impossible to derive a geometric equation for modelling purposes. Thus, alternative approaches are based on Convex Hull (CH) algorithms to construct the convex envelope of any object and to simulate a realistic environment with exact Collision Detection (CD) between objects during the training on a surgical operation. In this paper, a hybrid approach to generate the CH is developed and presented. The new algorithm is validated by performing a comparison with three conventional methods, namely, the Gift Wrapping, the QuickHull and the Chan algorithm. The evaluation is achieved by generating the convex envelopes of 3D wrist and knee bones. The results show the improvement associated with the proposed approach.

Online publication date: Mon, 05-May-2008

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications (IJISTA):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com