Creating a 3D model of the temporomandibular joint disc on the basis of segmented MRI slices

Abstract

The paper deals with the processing of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Images), which are segmented, and using consecutive slices a 3D reconstruction of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disc is realized. The segmentation method combines spatial continuity of individual slices and a genetic algorithm. Using the genetic algorithm a threshold is set for the selection of video segments. The MRI technique is one of the non-invasive imaging methods especially for the soft tissues of the human body, which include the temporomandibular disc. After segmentation, a 3D (three-dimensional) model was realized using the marching cube method, and was subsequently smoothed using the Laplace smoothing algorithm.