To begin in a medical imaging processing software, click New Project to export the computed tomography images of horizontal and sagittal angles of the patient's body in DICOM format. Select the desired slices for reconstructing the compressed vertebrae. Utilize the threshold segmentation tool to adjust the threshold range for the target vertebrae within 125 to 3071 Hounsfield units to create a mask.
Use the duplicate mask function to generate two separate masks, mask A and mask B.Next, use the mask edit feature to erase the target vertebrae from mask A.Subsequently with the Boolean operations tool, subtract mask A from mask B, forming a new mask, mask C.Activate the calculate three dimensional function to reconstruct the target vertebrae using mask C.Name this three dimensional model as L1.In the objects interface, right click on New, then choose Draw and select Cylinder. Set the cylinder dimensions the same as the puncture needle with a length of 12.5 millimeters and a radius of 1.25 millimeters. Adjust the positioning of the cylinder using the move and rotate functions to achieve the ideal position.
Throughout the simulation, the puncture needle must traverse the pedicle, preferably in its superior half with optimal tip positioning within the anterior one third of the vertebral body in the lateral view. Now right click on L1 in the objects interface and choose Export STL to export the file in STL format. Click Import to import the exported vertebral body solid file into the software.
Employ the mesh doctor feature to eliminate distortions and spikes from the model. Thoroughly examine the rough model for any internal voids as the grid doctor function may mistakenly identify normal anatomical structures as distortions or spikes. Fill the structures appropriately.
Employ the precise surface function to transform the solid model into a triangular mesh surface, selecting the organic geometry material. Wait for the automated surface construction process to complete and export the file in STP format.