Establishment of electron beam computed tomography and rapid prototyping techniques for a cranial bone defect model in goat

Objective To establish a cranial bone defect model of goat and to study application in craniomaxillo-facial surgery. Methods Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scanner was used to scan goat` heads and faces in series and thin layers. Data of EBCT were input in workstation from digital inlet, and then to three-dimensional reconstruction with method of surface shadow. After final data were transformed to the files, the rapid prototyping machine was able to identify and establish the 3D model. Results The EBCT continuous thin-layer (1 mm) scanning data were passed to wave filter, falling coarse, distinguishing and collecting the outline, 3D-reconstruction, curved surface reconstruction with CAD and the substance reconstruction. The final data were input into the laser rapid prototyping machine. Three-dimensional bionic cranium models were fabricated by machine in layer by layer manufacturing principle. Conclusions Establishment of the cranial bone defect model in the goat is very useful to the three-dimensional measurement, individualized reconstruction and basic and clinical research for the cranial bone defect. Key words: Goat; Cranial bone defect; Electron beam computed tomography; Rapid prototyping; Three-dimensional model