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. 2017 Mar;46(3):20160407.
doi: 10.1259/dmfr.20160407. Epub 2017 Jan 27.

"Black Bone" MRI: a novel imaging technique for 3D printing

Karen A Eley  1   2 , Stephen R Watt-Smith  3 , Stephen J Golding  2   4
Affiliations

"Black Bone" MRI: a novel imaging technique for 3D printing

Karen A Eley et al. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: Three-dimensionally printed anatomical models are rapidly becoming an integral part of pre-operative planning of complex surgical cases. We have previously reported the "Black Bone" MRI technique as a non-ionizing alternative to CT. Segmentation of bone becomes possible by minimizing soft tissue contrast to enhance the bone-soft tissue boundary. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the potential of utilizing this technique to produce three-dimensional (3D) printed models.

Methods: "Black Bone" MRI acquired from adult volunteers and infants with craniosynostosis were 3D rendered and 3D printed. A custom phantom provided a surrogate marker of accuracy permitting comparison between direct measurements and 3D printed models created by segmenting both CT and "Black Bone" MRI data sets using two different software packages.

Results: "Black Bone" MRI was successfully utilized to produce 3D models of the craniofacial skeleton in both adults and an infant. Measurements of the cube phantom and 3D printed models demonstrated submillimetre discrepancy.

Conclusions: In this novel preliminary study exploring the potential of 3D printing from "Black Bone" MRI data, the feasibility of producing anatomical 3D models has been demonstrated, thus offering a potential non-ionizing alterative to CT for the craniofacial skeleton.

Keywords: 3D imaging; 3D printing; MRI; anatomical models; segmentation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photograph of the custom-made acrylic cube phantom: this demonstrates the 11 measurements (labelled a–j and hole) which were completed on both the phantom cube and all resultant three-dimensional printed models.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The first three-dimensional printed anatomical model ever produced from “Black Bone” MRI of the mandible of an adult volunteer.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A three-dimensional printed model of the craniofacial skeleton of an adult volunteer from “Black Bone” MRI data.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Frontal and superior views of a three-dimensional (3D) printed anatomical model from “Black Bone” MRI data set of an infant with unicoronal synostosis: the technical limitations of the 3D printing technology and thin bone resulted in some regions of inaccuracy within the facial skeleton.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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