An integrated system and framework for development of medical applications and products based on medical imaging data

Abstract

The Computerised Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CT/MRI) technologies have been playing important roles in medical diagnosis and treatments. With the advancements of computer graphics, design and manufacturing technologies in recent decades, medical imaging data such as CT/MRI has been used for personalized design and development of medical models, surgical tools, implants and medical devices, as well as development of databases and 3D models for anthropology and anatomy study, medical education and training. In this paper, an integrated system and framework for development of medical applications based on CT/MRI data is introduced and discussed; it is aimed to target the medical applications in the developing countries, including (1) construction of population-specific 3D anatomical databases, (2) design and development of personalized (patient-specific) medical products, and (3) development of medical training models and education tools. The proposed system and framework is also aimed to help overcoming difficulties and obstacles surrounding the multidisciplinary collaborations, and high cost of software and tools for medical image processing, design and development of medical products and services.