Studies And Measurements Of Geometric Characteristics Of Living Human Skulls Based On CT Images

With the advanced development of modern medical imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, measurement and analysis of living tissue and organ of human specimen can be realized. This thesis proposed a novel technique to measure the geometric characteristics of living human skulls based on CT scan images. The research was derived from several key research projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China:"Biomechanical Modeling of Head Injury and its Application (Project No.:30470462)"and"Investigation of Head Injury Criterion through Finite Element Modeling (Project No.:30570481);"and a key project supported by Tianjin Scientific Committee:"Biomechanical Modeling of Head Injury and its Application (Project No.: 043803811)."In this study, a 3000 measurement of living human skulls from both males and female has been taken and measurement results have been analyzed with statistical theories. The major research results of this thesis are summarized as followings:1. A brief review of modern medical imaging technology has been given. Geometric measurement of living skulls and its application are fully explained, especially for its practical value in the field of head injury biomechanics. A novel technique was proposed to explore the geometric characteristics of living human skulls based on CT scan images.2. A procedure for image processing has been developed. It includes: image pre-processing, image segmentation, image binary coding, and noise filtering. Methods such as rectifying image deviation based on parabola principle; image edge detection; image boundary tracing; skull image contour extraction; and tracking measuring point on image edge have been developed.3. All the image processes were coded into a computer program to enable a semi-automatic measurement and ensure measurement accuracy. The accuracy of measurement was validated through experiment where measurement of a pig skull was performed. Principles for quantitative assessment of skull symmetry have been established.4. The thickness of the frontal, parietal and occipital bones, the A-P (anterior-posterior) length and breadth of 3,000 living skulls were measured. The mean of results for different age groups have been presented. The relationships between age and skull thickness, breadth and length were presented. The thickness of...