A validated methodology for the 3D reconstruction of cochlea geometries using human microCT images

作者：Sakellarios A I; Tachos N S; Rigas G; Bibas T; Ni G; Boehnke F; Fotiadis D I^*

来源：Measurement Science and Technology, 2017, 28(5): 054001.

DOI：10.1088/1361-6501/aa5f18

• inner ear
• cochlea reconstruction
• microCT
• level-set method
• validation

Accurate reconstruction of the inner ear is a prerequisite for the modelling and understanding of the inner ear mechanics. In this study, we present a semi-automated methodology for accurate reconstruction of the major inner ear structures (scalae, basilar membrane, stapes and semicircular canals). For this purpose, high resolution microCT images of a human specimen were used. The segmentation methodology is based on an iterative level set algorithm which provides the borders of the structures of interest. An enhanced coupled level set method which allows the simultaneous multiple image labeling without any overlapping regions has been developed for this purpose. The marching cube algorithm was applied in order to extract the surface from the segmented volume. The reconstructed geometries are then post-processed to improve the basilar membrane geometry to realistically represent physiologic dimensions. The final reconstructed model is compared to the available data from the literature. The results show that our generated inner ear structures are in good agreement with the published ones, while our approach is the most realistic in terms of the basilar membrane thickness and width reconstruction.

• 出版日期2017-5