Skull Repair Using Active Contour Models

Skull defects will result in high risk of brain infection and low brain protection. In order to avoid risks and re-injury, we need to reconstruct the defect by grafting bone onto the deficient region. With rapid customization manufacturing of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP) technology, the fitted shape of a skull prosthesis can be fabricated accurately and efficiently during cranioplasty surgery. However, an unfitted skull prosthesis made of artificial polymer or a metal implant can cause repeated infection, which may need an additional surgery. This paper presents a method to create suitable geometric graphics of skull defects to be applied in skull repair by using active contour models. The active contour models can be adjusted in every tomography slice, and the curves that represent the defect in the skull bone can be modeled. The generated graphics can adequately mimic and compensate for a fitted curvature. Clinical surgeons will be able to define, process, and implant a customized prosthesis to patients very quickly in surgery with this research. Especially, patients who have urgently skull defect problem can be solved and obtained maximum surgical quality.