Minimization of Volumetric Errors in CAD Medical Models Using 64 Slice Spiral CT Scanner

Sixty four slice spiral Computed Tomography (CT) scanner is one of the advanced CT scanners to capture the large volume of tissues and improved longitudinal resolution. The CT images are used to develop a 3-Dimensional (3D) Computer Aided Design (CAD) medical model. While developing a 3D CAD medical model volumetric errors occur due to partial volume or volume averaging effect. In order to study, various CT image construction parameters were considered to minimize the volumetric errors in 3D CAD medical models, a human dry mandible has been selected as a phantom. A Taguchi technique was used to find optimal CT image construction parameters. A L9 orthogonal array was used to optimize the CT image construction parameters constituting slice thickness, slice increment and Field of View (FOV) while performing CT image construction. The resultant optimal parameters are scrutinized using analysis of variance (ANOVA) method for its influence on the CT image construction. In this work, it has been found that there is a volumetric error of a 3D CAD medical model (STL file) from CT images of a dry mandible was 1978 mm3 (6.11%).Mechanical Engineerin