Surface modeling

Abstract

Surface modeling plays a crucial role in image analysis, surgical simulations, and a myriad of biomedical applications. Surface models represent three-dimensional structures, pathological deviations from the norm and statistical variability across populations. Equipped with simulation features, they are essential tools that help researchers to visualize the progress of a disease and the likely scenarios resulting from available treatment options. We introduce the concept of surface modeling in life sciences and trace the data analysis steps that lead from volumetric imaging to models. We survey a number of methods frequently used in three-dimensional image segmentation, skeletonization, registration and warping. We describe the atlas-based approach to template fitting and surface modeling. Finally, we review some of the prominent applications of surface modeling in biomedical research, teaching and practice. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.