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Computation of a tetrahedral mesh for striated muscle deformation simulation
Author(s) -
ZAHER A.R.,
WEICHERT F.,
BRAMSIEPE N.,
LANDES C.A.,
AWAD S.,
SHAMAA A.,
WAGNER M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2009.03321.x
Subject(s) - polygon mesh , computation , computer science , volume mesh , finite element method , contraction (grammar) , segmentation , algorithm , mesh generation , computer vision , computer graphics (images) , structural engineering , engineering , medicine
Summary Competing concepts exist regarding surgery for instance of the cleft lip and palate to date. Morphology‐based simulations at histological scale may one day be used to help the surgeon predict the possible outcome of a variety of approaches. It however can be a challenge to generate volume meshes that are applicable to the mathematical modelling of three‐dimensional spatial modifications. Computation of surface meshes may be considered less delicate. The aim of this study is to design and evaluate a novel algorithm that supports finite element methods. Images of histological serial sections of a striated muscle were segmented. Results of the three‐dimensional reconstruction of multiple layers of the polygonal segmentation data characterized the hull of the muscle. The corresponding surface mesh was then converted into a tetrahedral mesh to generate volume. This was achieved by mapping multiple template types onto neighbouring intersection polygons. Muscle contraction was subsequently simulated by mesh deformation. The technique successfully generated volumes and was able to provide data on contraction directions. The mesh supported a novel approach to simulate representations of contraction. However, several drawbacks were evident. Mathematical modelling of scenarios with more than one striated muscle will require considerable modification of the currently presented approach. Future studies need to then evaluate the applicability of volume meshes to represent arrays of three‐dimensional biological objects. Surface mesh based mathematical modelling of cleft lip and palate surgery and its results are therefore not yet in reach.