Program, information processing device, method, molding system, and display control device

Abstract

To provide a program, an information processing device, a method, a modeling system, and a display control device capable of producing a medical model with improved reproduction of a body part.SOLUTION: A program according to the present disclosure is a program for modeling a medical model of a body part of a patient, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components with different mechanical properties corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part. The program causes a processor of a computer processor to execute the steps of: (a) receiving image data of the body part of the patient; (b) obtaining identification results of body components of the body part included in the image data; (c) determining modeling conditions for modeling the model components; and (d) generating modeling data of the medical model based on the determined modeling conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a program, an information processing apparatus, a method, a modeling system, and a display control apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] For surgeons to conduct surgical training, medical models simulating parts of the human body are used. Patent Document 1 describes a method of fabricating a medical model by multi-material additive manufacturing using a plurality of modeling materials in combination.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventor has found that in the conventional modeling method, when each component of the medical model is modeled together, the adjacent components are mixed at the boundary of the adjacent components, and the bonding force between the components of the medical model becomes larger than that of the actual body components, resulting in a problem that the reproducibility of the medical model is reduced.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a program, an information processing apparatus, a method, a modeling system, and a display control apparatus that can manufacture a medical model with improved reproducibility of body parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a program for creating a medical model of a patient's body part, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, and the program is controlled by a computer processor. (a) A step of receiving image data of the patient's body parts, (b) A step of obtaining the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, (c) Based on association information between body components and the molding conditions of model components corresponding to body components, the step of determining molding conditions for molding model components having mechanical properties corresponding to body components for each body component identified using image data, (d) A step of generating modeling data for a medical model based on determined modeling conditions such that, for at least one pair of adjacent body components, two model components corresponding to the two adjacent body components are fabricated separately, A program is provided to execute it.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is provided for fabricating a medical model of a patient's body part, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, and comprises: an input unit for receiving image data of the patient's body part; an identification unit for acquiring identification results of body components of the body part included in the image data; a fabrication condition determination unit for determining fabrication conditions for fabricating a model component having mechanical properties corresponding to each body component identified using the image data, based on association information between the body component and the fabrication conditions of the model component corresponding to the body component; and a fabrication data generation unit for generating fabrication data of the medical model based on the determined fabrication conditions such that, for at least one pair of adjacent body components, two model components corresponding to the two adjacent body components are fabricated separately.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for fabricating a medical model of a patient's body part using a fabrication device, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, and a computer processor, (a) A step of receiving image data of the patient's body parts, (b) A step of obtaining the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, (c) Based on association information between body components and the molding conditions of model components corresponding to body components, the step of determining molding conditions for molding model components having mechanical properties corresponding to body components for each body component identified using image data, (d) A step of generating modeling data for a medical model based on determined modeling conditions such that, for at least one pair of adjacent body components, two model components corresponding to the two adjacent body components are fabricated separately, (e) The step of instructing the molding apparatus to fabricate a medical model based on the molding data, A method for performing this is provided.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a molding system comprising a molding apparatus for molding a medical model of a patient's body part, and an information processing apparatus for controlling the molding apparatus, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, and the information processing apparatus is (a) A step of receiving image data of the patient's body parts, (b) A step of obtaining the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, (c) Based on association information between body components and the molding conditions of model components corresponding to body components, the step of determining molding conditions for molding model components having mechanical properties corresponding to body components for each body component identified using image data, (d) A step of generating modeling data for a medical model based on determined modeling conditions such that, for at least one pair of adjacent body components, two model components corresponding to the two adjacent body components are fabricated separately, (e) A step of instructing the molding device to fabricate a medical model based on the fabrication data, A molding system is provided that is configured to perform the following actions.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a display control device is provided for modifying the molding data of a medical model of a patient's body part, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, and comprises: an input unit that receives user input operations; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display information indicating a pair of adjacent model components in the medical model to be molded based on the molding data; and a molding data generation unit that generates modified molding data by changing the position coordinate information of at least one of the two model components in the molding data in response to the input unit receiving a user input operation instructing the two model components to be molded separately.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the display control unit displays a three-dimensional image of a body part and the identification results of the body components of the body part on the display unit, and displays the mechanical properties of the model components corresponding to each identified body component on the display unit based on association information between the body components and the molding conditions of the model components corresponding to the body components. In one aspect of the present invention, the display control unit displays an input unit on the display unit that accepts user input operations to change the values ​​of the mechanical properties of the model components and / or input operations to select at least one of color and light transmittance for each component of the medical model.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the display control device further comprises an image generation unit that generates a first image of a medical model to be fabricated based on fabrication data, the display control unit causes the first image to be displayed on the display unit, the image generation unit generates a second image of a medical model to be fabricated based on the modified fabrication data in response to the fabrication data generation unit generating modified fabrication data, and the display control unit causes the second image to be displayed on the display unit in response to the generation of the second image.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, a display control device is provided for generating molding data for a medical model of a patient's body part, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, and comprises: an input unit that receives user input operations; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display information indicating two adjacent body components based on image data of the body part including position coordinate information of the plurality of body components; and a molding data generation unit that, in response to the input unit receiving a user input operation instructing to mold two model components corresponding to the two body components as separate objects, generates molding data in which the position coordinate information of at least one of the two model components is changed from the position coordinate information of the body component corresponding to the model component in the image data.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, a medical model of a patient's body part is provided, the medical model comprising a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part, wherein for at least one pair of adjacent body components, two model components corresponding to the two adjacent body components are molded separately.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, a space or another shaping material is disposed between two separately shaped model components. In one aspect of the present invention, the shaping conditions of the body component and the model component corresponding to the body component are associated based on the Young's modulus of the body component of a human or non-human animal corresponding to the body component. In one aspect of the present invention, the difference in the mechanical properties of each model component is caused at least partially by the difference in the porosity of the model component. In one aspect of the present invention, the model component has an internal space that the body component corresponding to the model component does not have.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program, an information processing apparatus, a method, a shaping system, and a display control apparatus capable of manufacturing a medical model with improved reproducibility of a body part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a shaping system 1 according to an embodiment. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program, an information processing apparatus, a method, a shaping system, and a display control apparatus capable of manufacturing a medical model with improved reproducibility of a body part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a shaping system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a shaping system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a body information database 42 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program, an information processing apparatus, a method, a shaping system, and a display control apparatus capable of manufacturing a medical model with improved reproducibility of a body part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a shaping system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a shaping system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a body information database 42 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of an association table 44 according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the flow of data in a shaping system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing a processing flow according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a display device 14 according to an embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a program, information processing device, method, molding system, and display control device according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same; therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0019] <Overview> The following embodiments describe a fabrication system for fabricating medical models of body parts of patients. According to one embodiment of the fabrication system, medical models consisting of multiple model components with different mechanical properties can be easily fabricated to correspond to body parts that consist of multiple body components such as bone, brain parenchyma, and dura mater.

[0020] In this specification, “patient” means a human or non-human animal that is the subject of medical treatment. Here, “medical treatment” includes not only the treatment of illness or injury but also examinations of healthy individuals, and “patient” includes not only sick or injured people but also healthy individuals who do not have a specific disease or injury.

[0021] In this specification, “body part” means a part or all of the body of a human or non-human animal. A “body part” may be any region of the body, such as the head, neck, chest, abdomen, upper limbs, or lower limbs, but is not limited to these. It may also be a higher-level region such as the head and neck, trunk, or limbs, or a lower-level region such as the skull, face, shoulders, arms, or hands.

[0022] In this specification, "body component" means one or more anatomical elements that constitute a body part. For example, if the body part is considered to be the head, the body components include, but are not limited to, bone, brain parenchyma, dura mater, blood vessels, and muscles. For example, instead of "bone," one may conceive of even more detailed body components such as the frontal bone, parietal bone, and temporal bone. In this specification, a lesion site or lesion is also treated as a body component. Lesion sites are not particularly limited, but examples include tumor sites (glioma, lymphoma, etc.) and inflammatory sites.

[0023] In this specification, "medical model" means a model used for medical purposes. Examples of medical models include, but are not limited to, life-size models of specific body parts used by surgeons for surgical training or pre-operative practice, and the scale and degree of realism may be determined as appropriate. For example, in a medical model, one or more body components included in an actual body part may be omitted, or components that do not originally exist may be added.

[0024] In this specification, “model component” means one or more elements that constitute a medical model, whose form and / or properties, such as material, texture, mechanical properties, and optical properties, are distinguishable from one another.

[0025] In this specification, "shaping" means manufacturing an object having a predetermined three-dimensional shape.

[0026] In this specification, "mechanical properties" refers to the response that a material exhibits to a load. Examples of mechanical properties include, but are not limited to, hardness, strength, elasticity, and toughness.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a molding system 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the molding system 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the molding system 1 comprises an imaging device 10, a processing device 12, a display device 14, and a molding device 16. Any two or more of these devices may be connected to each other by wire or wireless. Any two or more of these devices may be configured as a single integrated device. In Figure 1, the imaging device 10 and the molding device 16 are each wired to the processing device 12, and the display device 14 is configured as an integrated device with the processing device 12.

[0028] The overall operation of the fabrication system 1 is as follows: First, the imaging device 10 photographs a body part B of patient P and transmits the acquired image data D1 to the processing device 12. The processing device 12 processes the image data D1 to generate fabrication data D2 for the medical model M and transmits the fabrication data D2 to the fabrication device 16. The fabrication device 16 fabricates the medical model M based on the fabrication data D2. Generally, a body part B includes multiple body components BC, and correspondingly, the medical model M, which mimics a body part B, is fabricated to include multiple model components MC. The body components BC and model components MC correspond to each other, and each model component MC has different mechanical properties. Preferably, the fabrication data D2 includes fabrication conditions for all body components BC so that the fabrication device 16, upon receiving the fabrication data D2, can fabricate all body components BC constituting the medical model M at once. For example, the fabrication device 16 is a 3D printer that performs three-dimensional fabrication.

[0029] <Structure> The imaging device 10 takes a photograph of a body part B of patient P and acquires image data D1. For example, the imaging device 10 irradiates patient P, who is lying on a bed, with radiation or electromagnetic waves and acquires a fluoroscopic image of patient P's body. The imaging device 10 transmits the obtained image data D1 of patient P's body part B to the processing device 12.

[0030] The imaging device 10 is not particularly limited, and any imaging device can be used. Examples include computed tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, and ultrasound imaging devices. When using these devices, the obtained image data D1 is CT image data, MRI image data, and ultrasound image data, respectively. The CT scanner acquires a fluoroscopic image (CT image) of body part B by irradiating the patient P with radiation (X-rays). The MRI scanner acquires a fluoroscopic image (MRI image) of body part B based on nuclear magnetic resonance by irradiating the patient P with electromagnetic waves in a magnetic field. The ultrasound imaging device acquires an image (ultrasound image) that visualizes the structure of body part B by analyzing the reflected waves of ultrasound emitted into the body. Multiple imaging devices may be used in combination, and the image data D1 may contain two or more types of image data. For example, an image obtained by merging a CT image and an MRI image may be used as the image data D1.

[0031] The processing unit 12 is an example of an "information processing unit" and a "display control unit." The processing unit 12 processes image data D1 received from the imaging device 10 to generate molding data D2 for a medical model M corresponding to a body part B. The processing unit 12 transmits the generated molding data D2 to the molding device 16. The processing unit 12 can also transmit text data and image data to the display device 14 and control the display device 14 to display them.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the processing unit 12 includes an input unit 20, a processing unit 22, a storage unit 24, and an output unit 26. These are functional units realized through the cooperation of the hardware configuration of the processing unit 12, including the processor, memory, storage, input / output interface, communication interface, and bus that interconnects them.

[0033] The input unit 20 is configured to include an input / output interface and receives input to the processing unit 12.

[0034] The processing unit 22 performs calculation processing on the input received by the input unit 20. The processing unit 22 includes a 3D image generation unit 30, an identification unit 32, a molding condition determination unit 34, a molding data generation unit 36, and a display control unit 38.

[0035] The 3D image generation unit 30 can generate a 3D image from multiple 2D images. For example, if the imaging device 10 is a CT scanner that acquires multiple tomographic images of body part B, the image data D1 is obtained as a set of multiple 2D CT images showing cross-sections of body part B. The 3D image generation unit 30 can generate 3D image data D1' of body part B from the multiple 2D CT image data D1 using any known method. For example, the imaging device 10 may acquire a 3D image from the beginning, or a separate processing device that generates a 3D image from a 2D image may be used in addition to the processing device 12. In such cases, processing in the 3D image generation unit 30 can be omitted. Furthermore, the 3D image generation unit 30 can generate a 3D image of the medical model M to be fabricated based on the generated fabrication data D2.

[0036] The identification unit 32 identifies the body components BC that make up body part B included in the image data D1. For example, the identification unit 32 identifies body part B in the image data D1, obtains information on the body components BC included in body part B (for example, from a pre-prepared body information database 42), and divides body part B in the image data D1 into body component BC units and identifies each body component BC based on the obtained information. In this way, the identification unit 32 can obtain identification information (for example, name, type, etc.) of each body component BC included in the image data D1 in association with position coordinate information (for example, position coordinate in the image data D1, etc.) and morphological information (for example, shape, size, arrangement relationship with body components BC, etc.). Here, one or both of the position coordinate information and morphological information of a certain body component BC can be represented, for example, by a set of three-dimensional spatial coordinates that indicate the spatial region (which can be represented as a set of multiple voxels) occupied by the body component BC in the three-dimensional image data D1.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of a body information database 42 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the body information database 42 is, for example, a tree diagram that lists the names of the body components that make up each body part. The identification unit 32 can, for example, obtain the names of multiple body components BC that make up a desired body part B by searching for the name of body part B in the body information database 42.

[0038] For example, if body part B is the head of a human, the identification unit 32 can search for "head" as body part B in the body information database 42, thereby obtaining information that the head generally includes body components BC such as bone, brain parenchyma, dura mater, blood vessels, and muscles. Next, the identification unit 32 identifies which parts of body part B (head) shown as a 3D image in the image data D1 correspond to bone, which parts correspond to brain parenchyma, and which parts correspond to dura mater. Through this identification process, the identification unit 32 can obtain, for example, a set of 3D spatial coordinates indicating the spatial region corresponding to body components BC such as bone, brain parenchyma, and dura mater in the image data D1, for each body component BC.

[0039] The identification unit 32 can identify body components BC based, for example, on the characteristics of the imaging method, the physical characteristics of the body components BC, and / or anatomical characteristics. Alternatively, the identification unit 32 may identify body components BC using a trained model trained by machine learning. The trained model can be generated, for example, by machine learning, which uses pairs of image data D1 and the identification results of body components BC contained in the image data D1 as training data to learn the relationship between image data D1 and the identification results of body components BC.

[0040] The identification unit 32 can also, at least partially, identify body component BC based on the identification result entered by the user. For example, the user can input the identification result of body component BC to the processing unit 12 by identifying the spatial area occupied by the body component BC in the image data D1, as well as the name and type of the body component BC. In this case, the body component BC identification process may include the input unit 20 obtaining a set of three-dimensional spatial coordinates indicating the area occupied by the body component BC in the image data D1, which is received from the user.

[0041] Preferably, when the identification unit 32 identifies a three-dimensional spatial region represented as a set of voxels as positional information of a body component BC, it identifies the three-dimensional spatial region such that if two of the voxels constituting the three-dimensional spatial region are adjacent and share a vertex, there is at least one other voxel that constitutes the three-dimensional spatial region and shares that vertex. That is, in the identification result by the identification unit 32, if the three-dimensional spatial region corresponding to the body component BC includes two voxels that are adjacent and share a vertex, the three-dimensional spatial region further includes at least one other voxel that shares that vertex. By identifying it in this way, in the image data D1, the three-dimensional spatial region corresponding to the body component BC can include another voxel around the point of contact of two voxels that are touching at a vertex (i.e., the vertex shared by the two voxels). For example, in an XYZ coordinate space consisting of a set of unit voxels (X,Y,Z) with side length 1, suppose the 3D spatial region corresponding to body component BC includes voxels A(0,0,0) and B(1,1,1) that share vertices with each other. In this case, six other voxels that share these vertices are voxels C(1,0,0), D(0,1,0), E(0,0,1), F(1,1,0), G(0,1,1), and H(1,0,1). If the 3D spatial region corresponding to body component BC includes one or more of these additional voxels C to H, then the additional voxels will be tangent to one of voxels A and B by a surface and to the other by an edge. For example, if the additional voxel is voxel C(1,0,0), then voxel C touches voxel A with a surface and voxel B with an edge. As a result, the two voxels A and B that touch at a vertex are connected not only at the vertex but also through another adjacent voxel. In contrast, if the two voxels are connected only at a single vertex without any other adjacent voxels, there is a possibility that the parts of the medical model M after printing will not be properly connected, resulting in a gap between the parts of the two voxels.This issue is particularly important when fabricating thin parts of body components BC. Therefore, by having the identification unit 32 identify the three-dimensional spatial region corresponding to the body components BC as described above, the possibility of holes appearing in the fabricated medical model M in the area corresponding to the vertices shared by two voxels can be reduced.

[0042] The molding condition determination unit 34 determines the molding conditions for each model component MC of the medical model M based on the identification result of the body component BC in the image data D1, association information between the body component BC and the model component MC included in the medical model M to be molded, user input, past molding conditions, etc. The molding conditions include, for example, the size, shape, arrangement, mechanical properties, type of molding material, supply conditions for the molding material, curing conditions for the molding material, porosity of the molding material, color of the molding material, and light transmittance (transparency) of the molding material.

[0043] The molding condition determination unit 34 can, for example, acquire morphological information such as the size, shape, and arrangement of model components MC from the position coordinate information and / or morphological information of each body component BC based on the identification result. The molding condition determination unit 34 can, for example, acquire molding material information such as the mechanical properties of the model component MC and the type of molding material, molding processing information such as the supply conditions for the molding material and the curing conditions for the molding material, and molded object information such as the porosity of the model component MC, based on an association table 44 that includes the correspondence between the body component BC and the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC and the desired molding conditions (e.g., molding material and its mechanical properties), as well as molded object information such as the porosity of the model component MC. The molding condition determination unit 34 can, for example, acquire molding material information such as the color and light transmittance of the molding material from the molding conditions based on user input or past molding conditions. The color and light transmittance of the model component MC may be set as appropriate for the user's visual convenience, independently of the mechanical properties of the material. Any method may be used to fabricate model components (MCs) having the desired color and light transmittance, such as selecting a fabrication material or adding a coloring agent.

[0044] Each model component MC has different mechanical properties due to being manufactured under different manufacturing conditions. For example, the manufacturing condition determination unit 34 can appropriately select one or more manufacturing conditions, such as the type, number, mixing ratio, supply amount, density, supply temperature, supply rate, curing means, curing temperature, energy of curing irradiation light, sintering means, sintering temperature, porosity of the model component MC to be manufactured, density of the model component MC, and internal structure of the model component MC, in order to achieve the desired mechanical properties.

[0045] The molding condition determination unit 34 assigns molding conditions to each body component BC identified using the image data D1, based on the acquired molding conditions, to create a model component MC having the mechanical properties corresponding to that body component BC. As a result, the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC is molded to have the mechanical properties corresponding to the body component BC, according to the molding conditions assigned to that body component BC.

[0046] For example, the molding condition determination unit 34 can determine molding conditions for molding a model component MC having the desired mechanical properties by selecting one of a plurality of molding materials having different mechanical properties after hardening, or by selecting two or more molding materials and their mixing ratios, according to the mechanical properties suitable for the model component MC.

[0047] For example, the molding condition determination unit 34 may select the porosity of the molded model component MC according to the mechanical properties suitable for the model component MC. For example, when molding a model component MC with low hardness, the molding condition determination unit 34 can determine the molding conditions so that the model component MC has one or more internal spaces (for example, a continuous hollow internal space or multiple internal spaces spaced apart from each other) in order to achieve the desired hardness. The internal spaces of the model component MC may be formed, for example, in parts of the body component BC that do not originally have internal spaces. The molding condition determination unit 34 can determine the molding conditions that yield the desired hardness by appropriately selecting the size and shape of the internal spaces of the model component MC. The internal spaces may be open spaces communicating with the outside of the model component MC, or closed spaces that do not communicate with the outside. Alternatively, the molding condition determination unit 34 may determine the molding conditions so that the model component MC is a porous body having many voids inside. In this case, the molding condition determination unit 34 can determine molding conditions that yield the desired hardness by appropriately selecting the number, size, density, etc., of the voids. Voids, such as internal spaces, can be formed, for example, using support material. The support material is any material that can be removed from the medical model M by any means, such as suction through holes, solvent addition, heating, or light irradiation. For example, holes for removing support material can be formed on the surface of the model component MC during or after molding, and the internal support material can be removed through these holes. Preferably, during molding, support material is placed at positions corresponding to the voids, and after the completion of molding, the support material is removed from the medical model M by any means, thereby forming voids inside the medical model M.

[0048] Furthermore, the hardness of the model component MC may differ from the hardness of the actual body component BC; for example, it may be set to be less hard than the hardness of the body component BC.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an example of an association table 44 according to one embodiment. The association table 44 includes columns such as "Body Component," "Young's Modulus," "Model Shore Hardness," "Forming Material," and "Porrosion." The association table 44 associates each element shown in each column with each other. "Body Component" is the name of the body component BC. "Young's Modulus" is a typical value of the Young's modulus of the body component BC, and may be a measured or estimated value of the Young's modulus of a human or non-human animal body component BC. "Model Shore Hardness" is an example of the "mechanical properties" of the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC, and is the Shore hardness value of the model component MC. For example, the Shore hardness value of the model component MC is set based on the Young's modulus of the body component BC corresponding to the model component MC. For example, the Shore hardness value may be determined to reproduce the Young's modulus value of the body component BC to a certain extent. The extent to which the Young's modulus is reproduced can be appropriately determined depending on the application, etc. "Forming Material" is a suitable material for forming the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC. Furthermore, the molding material for the model component MC corresponding to "blood vessels" is listed as a mixture of resin B and resin C, along with their mixing ratios. "Porosity" is the porosity of the model component MC that is suitable for achieving the hardness of the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC. Note that the items included in the association table 44 are not limited to the above example, and one or more of the items shown in Figure 4 may be omitted, or arbitrary items may be added. For example, the association table 44 may also include other molding conditions such as the supply conditions and curing conditions of the molding material, mechanical property values ​​of the body component BC other than Young's modulus, and mechanical property values ​​of the model component MC other than Shore hardness.

[0050] Preferably, the association table 44 includes information on the hardness suitable for each body component BC for the corresponding model component MC. The molding condition determination unit 34 determines the hardness (an example of "mechanical properties") for each model component MC based on the association table 44. Examples of hardness include Shore hardness, Vickers hardness, durometer hardness, etc., but are not particularly limited, and any index can be used.

[0051] The items in association table 44, such as "Shore hardness of the model," "printing material," and "porosity," may be updated as needed based on user evaluations of the medical model M that was actually fabricated.

[0052] The molding data generation unit 36 ​​generates molding data D2 of the medical model M based on the image data D1 and the molding conditions determined by the molding condition determination unit 34. The molding data D2 includes, for example, information about the molding model of the medical model M in three-dimensional space. For example, the molding data D2 includes information about the presence or absence of molding material in each voxel (X, Y, Z) in three-dimensional space, and if there is molding material in the voxel, information about the molding conditions such as the type of molding material. In other words, in the molding data D2, position coordinate information (e.g., voxel information) and molding condition information are associated.

[0053] The molding data generation unit 36 ​​can generate molding data D2 such that, for at least one pair of adjacent body components BC in the image data D1, two model components MC corresponding to the adjacent body components BC are molded as separate objects. In this specification, "separate objects" means a state in which two objects are not substantially mixed together, and includes states in which an interface exists between two objects that are in contact with each other, or states in which another layer or gap exists between two objects. For example, when molding two adjacent model components MC with the same or similar material (e.g., resin material), if the two model components MC are molded in succession, the adjacent model components MC may mix together and become one at their boundary. Therefore, in order to mold two adjacent model components MC as separate objects, for example, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​can first generate primary molding data according to the position coordinate information of the original image data D1, then detect pairs of adjacent model components MC in the primary molding data, and modify the position or size of one or both of the two adjacent model components MC. For example, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​can modify the positional information of the model component MC in the primary molding data so that a thin space is formed between two adjacent model component MCs. The molding data generation unit 36 ​​may further modify the molding conditions in the primary molding data so that another material is molded in the space between the model component MCs formed by the above modification. The other material to fill between the model component MCs is not particularly limited, but a material with low adhesion of the model component MCs to the molding material is preferred. Alternatively, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​may modify the molding conditions in the primary molding data so that one of the adjacent model component MCs is molded first and completely cured, and then the other adjacent model component MC is molded on top of the previously molded model component MC. In this way, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​can generate the final molding data D2. However, the method by which the molding data generation unit 36 ​​molds two adjacent model component MCs as separate parts is not limited to the above example, and any method can be used.

[0054] The molding data generation unit 36 ​​does not necessarily need to generate primary molding data; it may generate molding data D2 that incorporates the above-mentioned modifications from the beginning without going through primary molding data. For example, when the molding data generation unit 36 ​​reflects the position information of the model component MC included in the identification result of the image data D1 into the molding data D2, it may detect pairs of adjacent model component MCs and modify the position information of the model component MCs so that, for example, a gap is created between them. Furthermore, such modification of position information may be performed at a different time than the generation of molding data. For example, when the identification unit 32 identifies a body component BC included in the image data D1 and determines the position coordinates of the body component BC, it may detect pairs of adjacent body component BCs and determine the position coordinates of the body component BC (for example, position coordinates that identify the spatial area occupied by the body component BC) so that, for example, a gap is created between them. The modeling data generation unit 36 ​​generates modeling data D2 based on the corrected identification result, and as a result, modeling data D2 is generated such that the model component MC corresponding to the adjacent body component BC is modeled separately.

[0055] The molding data generation unit 36 ​​does not necessarily have to perform the above processing on all sets of adjacent model component MCs. For example, depending on the type and properties of the molding material, supply conditions, curing conditions, etc., adjacent model component MCs may be molded without mixing with each other. Also, model component MCs that are of low importance in light of the application of the medical model M may be excluded from the above processing. For example, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​can determine which model component MCs to process based on the user's selection received by the input unit 20. For example, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​first generates primary molding data according to the position coordinate information of the image data D1, detects sets of adjacent model component MCs in the primary molding data, displays the primary molding data and the detected sets of model component MCs on the display device 14 via the output unit 26, receives the user's selection result for sets of model component MCs via the input unit 20, modifies the primary molding data so that each model component MC included in the selected set of model component MCs is molded separately, and generates molding data D2.

[0056] The display control unit 38 controls the display on the display device 14. The display control unit 38 converts various data into a format that can be displayed on the display device 14 as needed, and instructs the display device 14 to display the data.

[0057] The storage unit 24 stores the program 40, the physical information database 42, the association table 44, and the like. The program 40 causes the processor of the processing unit 12 to execute predetermined instructions. Note that the program 40, the physical information database 42, and the association table 44 do not necessarily have to be stored in the storage unit 24 of the processing unit 12, but may be stored in another device such as an external server.

[0058] The output unit 26 includes an input / output interface and outputs the results of the calculation processing in the processing unit 22 (for example, a 3D image of body part B, identification results of body components B and C, preferred hardness of model component MC, and molding data D2).

[0059] The display device 14 functions as a user interface for the processing device 12. The display device 14 receives image data D1 acquired by the imaging device 10 and the processing results of the image data D1 by the processing device 12 from the output unit 26 and displays them to the user.

[0060] The display device 14 includes a display unit 50. The display unit 50 is controlled by the display control unit 38 and displays to the user information received from the output unit 26 and various objects such as text boxes and buttons for receiving user input. For example, the display unit 50 can display to the user a three-dimensional image of a body part B generated by the three-dimensional image generation unit 30, or a three-dimensional image of a medical model M based on the molding data D2 generated by the molding data generation unit 36. Preferably, the display unit 50 can display a three-dimensional image that can be translated and rotated. For example, the display control unit 38 controls the display unit 50 to translate or rotate the displayed three-dimensional image in response to the input unit 20 receiving user input.

[0061] The molding apparatus 16 fabricates the medical model M based on the fabrication data D2 received from the processing apparatus 12. The molding apparatus 16 is not particularly limited, and any molding apparatus can be used. Examples include stereolithography apparatuses, additive manufacturing apparatuses, inkjet printers, powder sintering apparatuses, and fused deposition modeling apparatuses. Preferably, the molding apparatus 16 is a stereolithography apparatus that uses a photocurable resin as the molding material for the medical model M. In addition to the molding material, the molding apparatus 16 can appropriately use any materials such as support material and additives.

[0062] The processing unit 12 may also function as a control device that controls either or both of the imaging device 10 and the fabrication device 16. As a control device for the imaging device 10, the processing unit 12 instructs the imaging device 10 to move the patient P's position and take images. As a control device for the fabrication device 16, the processing unit 12 instructs the fabrication device 16 to fabricate the medical model M based on the output fabrication data. Specifically, the processing unit 12 controls the operation of the fabrication device 16, such as the fabrication material supply mechanism, the fabrication material solidification mechanism (laser, etc.), and the stage movement mechanism, so that the fabrication device 16 fabricates the medical model M according to the fabrication data.

[0063] <Data flow> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the data flow in a molding system 1 according to one embodiment. The image data D1 acquired by the imaging device 10 or the three-dimensional image data D1' generated from the image data D1 by the three-dimensional image generation unit 30 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "image data 500") includes position coordinate information 502 and morphological information 504 for body part B and a plurality of body components BC that constitute body part B. For example, the position coordinate information 502 includes position coordinates (e.g., voxels) in the image data 500 and values ​​corresponding to each position coordinate (e.g., CT values, color characteristic values ​​converted from CT values, etc.). For example, the morphological information 504 includes the shape and size of body part B included in the image data 500, the shape, size, and arrangement relationship with other elements of body components BC extracted as a set of elements in the image data 500.

[0064] Morphological information 504 is used by the identification unit 32 and / or the user to identify body components BC included in the image data 500 (510). The identification unit 32 and / or the user identify which element corresponds to which body component BC based on the morphological information 504 of each element included in the image data 500, known physical characteristics and / or anatomical characteristics of each body component BC, etc.

[0065] The identification results of the body components BC are used by the molding condition determination unit 34 to select a molding material for the model component MC corresponding to each body component BC (520). For example, the molding condition determination unit 34 determines molding conditions such as a suitable molding material and mechanical properties (e.g., hardness) for the model component MC corresponding to the identified body component BC by searching for the name of the identified body component BC in the association table 44.

[0066] The determined molding conditions are used by the molding data generation unit 36 ​​to generate molding data D2 in combination with the position coordinate information 502 of the image data 500 (530). For example, molding data D2 is generated by associating the position coordinate information of the molding model based on the position coordinate information 502 with the molding condition information. At this time, based on the position coordinate information 502, the molding data D2 may be modified so that a pair of two adjacent model components MC are molded as separate parts. Subsequently, the generated molding data D2 is transmitted from the processing unit 12 to the molding apparatus 16. The molding apparatus 16 molds the medical model M based on the molding data D2 (540).

[0067] In this way, molding data D2 is generated from the position coordinate information 502 and morphological information 504 contained in the image data 500 of body part B, and based on the generated molding data D2, a medical model M corresponding to body part B is fabricated.

[0068] <Processing Flow> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow according to one embodiment. In step S601, the imaging device 10 acquires image data D1 of body part B of patient P. The input unit 20 of the processing device 12 receives the image data D1 from the imaging device 10. The image data D1 is, for example, a set of two-dimensional images or a three-dimensional image. If the image data D1 is a set of two-dimensional images, the three-dimensional image generation unit 30 of the processing device 12 can convert the image data D1 into three-dimensional image data D1'.

[0069] In step S602, the identification unit 32 of the processing unit 12 obtains the identification results of the body components BC of body part B included in the image data D1 and D1'. The identification results include, for example, identification information (name, type, etc.), position coordinate information, and morphological information for each body component BC.

[0070] In step S603, the molding condition determination unit 34 of the processing apparatus 12 determines molding conditions for each body component BC identified using image data D1 and D1', based on association information between the body component BC and the molding conditions of the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC, to mold a model component MC having the mechanical properties corresponding to the body component BC. The molding conditions include morphological information of the model component MC, information on the molding material, and molding process information (for example, information on processing conditions in each molding process such as material supply and curing).

[0071] In step S604, the molding data generation unit 36 ​​of the processing device 12 generates molding data D2 for the medical model M based on the determined molding conditions, such that for at least one pair of two adjacent body components BC, two model components MC corresponding to the two adjacent body components BC are molded separately. The method for molding the two model components MC separately can be arbitrarily selected, as long as the two model components MC are molded separately in the medical model M molded by the molding device 16 after reading the molding data D2. For example, as described above, when identifying body components BC in image data D1, the position coordinates of the body components BC may be specified so that a small space is created between adjacent body components BC, the position coordinates and molding conditions of the model components MC may be set in the molding data D2 so that a small space or a different material is formed between the model components MC, and molding conditions such as the molding material and molding timing may be appropriately set so that adjacent model components MC do not mix together.

[0072] In step S605, the molding device 16 fabricates the medical model M based on the molding data D2.

[0073] <Screen example> Figure 7 shows an example screen of the display device 14 according to one embodiment. The display control unit 38 can control the display unit 50 of the display device 14 to display a screen for generating molding data as shown in Figure 7 to the user. As shown in Figure 7, the display control unit 38 controls the display unit 50 to display the 3D image display unit 700, the molding condition setting unit 702, the data correction unit 704, and the output instruction unit 706 to the user.

[0074] The 3D image display unit 700 displays image data D1 of a body part B represented as a 3D image and modeling data D2 of a medical model M, along with the XYZ coordinate axes 710. The 3D image display unit 700 can display each body component BC or each model component MC in different display modes. The 3D image display unit 700 may, for example, display each body component BC with reference numerals 1, 2, 3, ... associated with the modeling condition setting unit 702, as shown in Figure 7. The 3D image display unit 700 can change, for example, the magnification, position, and orientation of the displayed 3D image in response to user input operations (e.g., mouse dragging or swiping). The 3D image display unit 700 can also indicate that a component has been selected by highlighting, for example, the body component BC or model component MC that was the target of the input operation, in response to user input operations (e.g., mouse click or touch). The 3D image display unit 700 may simultaneously display both the image of body part B (image data D1) and the image of medical model M (modeling data D2) (for example, side by side or superimposed). The display control unit 38 may also display a switching button on the display unit 50 for switching between the images displayed on the 3D image display unit 700 between body part B (image data D1) and medical model M (modeling data D2).

[0075] If the body component BC is not identified in the image data D1, the 3D image display unit 700 displays the body component BC without distinguishing between them. In this case, the 3D image display unit 700 can identify a specific region as a body component BC in response to a user input operation, for example, selecting multiple coordinate points to surround a specific region in the displayed image. The user may further assign identification information, such as a name or type, to the identified body component BC.

[0076] The molding condition setting unit 702 displays various molding conditions for each body component BC displayed on the 3D image display unit 700. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the molding condition setting unit 702 displays the reference code (720) and name (722) of the body component BC, as well as the model Shore hardness (724), color (726), and light transmittance (728) of the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC. The molding condition setting unit 702 can, for example, display the model Shore hardness (724) corresponding to the body component BC, which is obtained by searching for the name of the body component BC in the association table 44. The molding condition setting unit 702 accepts user input operations to change the value of the model Shore hardness, and in response to such input operations, it changes the display of the model Shore hardness (724) and the display of the body component BC on the 3D image display unit 700, and may change the value of the model Shore hardness in the association table 44, as well as items related to the model Shore hardness such as the molding material and porosity, if necessary. The molding condition setting unit 702 may also display items related to mechanical properties other than the Shore hardness of the model. The molding condition setting unit 702 accepts user input operations to change the values ​​of color and light transmittance for each body component BC, and in response to such input operations, it may change the display of color (726) and light transmittance (728) and the display of body component BC on the 3D image display unit 700, and may change items such as the molding material in the association table 44 as necessary.

[0077] The data modification unit 704 includes the currently selected model component MC (730), a list of other model component MCs adjacent to the currently selected model component MC (732), an execution button (734) to increase the spacing between two adjacent model component MCs, and an execution button (736) to add another material between two adjacent model component MCs. For example, when the 3D image display unit 700 is displaying the primary fabrication data of a medical model M, and as shown in Figure 7, the dura mater is selected among the model component MCs, the data modification unit 704 lists and displays bone, brain parenchyma, etc., as model component MCs adjacent to the dura mater in the primary fabrication data. Figure 7 shows the state where bone is selected from the list of adjacent model component MCs.

[0078] The data modification unit 704, in response to the user operating the "add spacing" button 734, modifies the spatial area occupied by at least one of the selected adjacent model components MC (in this case, dura mater and bone) in the primary modeling data so that a space is created between them, and displays an image of the medical model M with the modified modeling data on the 3D image display unit 700. The data modification unit 704 may further include an input unit for the user to adjust the spacing between the model components MC. In addition, the data modification unit 704, in response to the user operating the "add material between" button 736, modifies the spatial area occupied by at least one of the selected adjacent model components MC (in this case, dura mater and bone) in the primary modeling data so that another material is added between them, and assigns another modeling material between the dura mater and bone, and displays an image of the medical model M with the modified modeling data on the 3D image display unit 700. The data modification unit 704 may further include an input unit for the user to adjust the spacing between the model components MC or to select the material to be added.

[0079] The data correction unit 704 may be used not only to correct the modeling data D2 but also to correct the identification results of body components BC based on the image data D1. For example, when the 3D image display unit 700 is displaying the image data D1 and the identified body components BC, the data correction unit 704 may include, for example, the currently selected body component BC (730), a list of other body components BC adjacent to the currently selected body component BC (732), and an execution button (734) to increase the spacing between two adjacent body components BC. For example, similar to the correction of the modeling data D2 described above, in response to the user operating the "increase spacing" button 734, the identification unit 32 corrects the identification results of the model component MC so that a space is created between the selected adjacent body components BC. For example, the identification unit 32 can correct the position coordinate information that identifies the spatial area occupied by the body component BC in the image data D1 among the identification results of the model component MC. In response to the correction of position coordinate information, the display control unit 38 can generate an image by superimposing the space occupied by the corrected body component BC onto the image data D1, and display it on the 3D image display unit 700.

[0080] The output instruction unit 706 receives an instruction from the user to output the molding data D2. The molding data generation unit 36 ​​responds to the user's operation of the output instruction unit 706 and generates the molding data D2 based on the currently selected molding conditions.

[0081] <Effects> When fabricating two adjacent model components MC at the same time, the adjacent model components MC may blend together and merge at their boundary. In such cases, the bonding force between adjacent model components MC may be greater than the bonding force between adjacent actual body components BC, which may reduce the accuracy of the reproduction of body part B in the medical model M. For example, if two body components BC can be easily separated with surgical instruments in a real surgery, but two corresponding model components MC in the medical model M are difficult to separate, then when a surgeon uses the medical model for surgical training to separate the two model components MC, they will need to apply more force than necessary in a real surgery, which may result in applying excessive force to the body components BC in an actual surgery. However, according to the above embodiment, by fabricating two model components MC corresponding to two adjacent body components BC as separate parts, mixing between model components MC at the boundary between adjacent model components MC is suppressed, and a medical model M with improved accuracy in reproducing body part B can be manufactured. Furthermore, various model components MC with different mechanical properties can be fabricated together.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the mechanical properties of the model component MC include the hardness of the model component MC. According to one embodiment, in the association information, the molding conditions of a plurality of body components BC and a plurality of model components MC are associated based on the Young's modulus of the human or non-human animal body component BC corresponding to the body component BC. By setting the hardness of the model component MC based on the mechanical properties of the actual body component BC, the degree of reproduction of the sensation of actual surgery can be improved in surgical training using the medical model M.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the molding conditions associated with the body component BC in the association information include information on a molding material having predetermined mechanical properties and color, and in step (c), the molding conditions for the model component MC corresponding to the body component BC are determined based on the molding conditions associated with the body component BC in the association information. By determining the molding conditions for the model component MC based on the association information between the body component BC and a molding material with set mechanical properties and color, the simplicity and efficiency of determining the molding conditions can be improved.

[0084] According to one embodiment, in the step of generating the molding data D2 for the medical model M, the molding data D2 is generated such that a space or another molding material is placed between two model components MC that are molded separately. This makes it easy to mold adjacent model components MC as separate parts. In particular, when another molding material is placed between adjacent model components MC, the degree of bonding between adjacent model components MC can be adjusted by adjusting the amount and type of the other molding material, thereby further improving the accuracy of reproduction of the body part B by the medical model M.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the step of generating the molding data D2 of a medical model M includes (d-1) generating primary molding data of the medical model M based on image data D1 and molding conditions, and (d-2) generating the molding data D2 of the medical model M by modifying the primary molding data so that for at least one pair of two adjacent body components BC, two model components MC corresponding to the two adjacent body components BC are molded separately. This makes it possible to visually edit the position, size, etc. of the model components MC included in the primary molding data while the primary molding data is displayed, thereby improving the convenience of generating the molding data D2.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the identification result includes positional information for each body component BC, which indicates a three-dimensional spatial region as a set of voxels occupied by each body component BC in the image data D1. In the identification result, if the three-dimensional spatial region corresponding to a body component BC includes two adjacent voxels that share a vertex, the three-dimensional spatial region further includes at least one other voxel that shares that vertex. As a result, in the image data D1, two voxels that constitute a body component BC and share a vertex are joined via another voxel that shares that vertex, thus reducing the possibility of holes appearing in the medical model M after fabrication in the area corresponding to the vertex shared by the two voxels.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the molding conditions includes determining the porosity of at least one model component MC based on the molding conditions included in the association information. According to one embodiment, the step of determining the molding conditions includes determining the molding conditions such that at least one model component MC has an internal space that the corresponding body component BC does not have, based on the molding conditions included in the association information. By adjusting the porosity of the model component MC or by forming an internal space in the model component MC, differences in the mechanical properties of each model component MC can be easily realized.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the molding conditions includes determining at least one of the color and light transmittance for each of the multiple model components MC. This makes it possible to give each model component MC a visual difference, thereby improving the usability of the medical model M in surgical training.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the molding conditions includes a step of obtaining identification results from image data D1 using a trained model that has learned the relationship between image data D1 of body part B and the identification results of body components BC of body part B contained in image data D1. This reduces the effort required for the user to perform the identification process manually and enables the identification of body components BC, which is difficult with uniform rule-based processing.

[0090] According to one embodiment, body part B includes a lesion site, and medical model M includes model component MC corresponding to the lesion site. According to one embodiment, the lesion site is selected from the group consisting of tumor sites and inflammatory sites. According to one embodiment, image data D1 includes one or more selected from the group consisting of CT image data, MRI image data, and ultrasound image data. According to one embodiment, medical model M includes one or more model component MC selected from the group consisting of model component MC corresponding to bone, model component MC corresponding to brain parenchyma, model component MC corresponding to dura mater, model component MC corresponding to nerves, model component MC corresponding to blood vessels, and model component MC corresponding to muscle, and model component MC corresponding to the lesion site. According to one embodiment, medical model M includes model component MC corresponding to dura mater. By creating a medical model M including model component MC corresponding to the lesion site from the patient's CT images or MRI images before actual surgery, and performing surgical training using the medical model M, it is possible to simulate the surgery before the operation and improve the accuracy of the actual surgery. Furthermore, although the dura mater is a very important tissue in neurosurgery, a technology has not yet been developed that can create a 3D model of the entire skull, including the dura mater. A medical model M, manufactured to include the dura mater as a model component MC, is extremely useful for surgical training.

[0091] <Variation> The program may be provided stored on a computer-readable storage medium. In the above embodiment, each component of the processing unit 12 was described as a software function unit, but it may also be a hardware function unit such as an LSI.

[0092] Machine learning algorithms may be used in selecting molding conditions in image data D1. For example, assuming supervised learning, the processing unit 12 can use past molding data D2 and the mechanical properties of previously manufactured model components MC as training data to construct a learning network that includes image data D1, the mechanical properties of body components BC, the mechanical properties of model components MC, various molding conditions, and molding data D2, thereby learning to optimize the molding conditions of the medical model M and the values ​​of each item in the association table 44. For example, the processing unit 12 may determine the molding conditions for each model component MC based on the association information between the molding conditions of body components BC and model components MC contained in a trained model obtained by machine learning, without referring to the association table 44. The learning algorithm is not particularly limited, and supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, etc., can be selected as appropriate.

[0093] The modeling data generation unit 36 ​​may generate modeling data in which lesion sites are placed at arbitrary positions on body part B, for example, to enable surgical training for educational purposes or to simulate various hypothetical cases. The placement of lesion sites may be determined by the user, determined randomly by a computer, based on actual cases, or determined by an algorithm using machine learning.

[0094] In the fabricated medical model M, tubular model components MC, such as blood vessels, may be filled with a fluid simulating blood or other fluids as needed. This allows the medical model M to be used as a training device to avoid damaging blood vessels and causing bleeding during surgery. Furthermore, model components MC with internal spaces may contain liquids or gels in those spaces as needed.

[0095] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Examples]

[0096] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but this does not limit the present invention. The inventors prepared various molding materials as shown in Table 1 below so that body components BC with various hardnesses can be fabricated, and created a correlation table as shown in Table 2 below between actual body components BC and the model components corresponding to those body components BC, and suitable molding conditions (molding material and presence or absence of internal space).

[0097] Table 1 shows details of 10 types of 3D printing materials prepared by the inventors. Printing tests were performed using Stratasys J750DAP or J750 3D printers. Each 3D printing material is identified by one or more materials usable in the 3D printing software GrabCAD Print (Stratasys). For seven materials, S-40A, S-50A, S-60A, S-70A, S-85A, S-95A, and PP-like, which are formed by combining Agilus-Clear with Vero-family or Vero Pure White, dashed lines indicate the approximate mixing ratios. Table 1 shows the measured Shore A hardness and Young's modulus, qualitative hardness, and color vividness for each 3D printing material. Young's modulus was measured using a Young's modulus measuring device SOFTGRAM (registered trademark; manufactured by Shinko Denshi Co., Ltd.). The Young's modulus of the four materials, S-70A, S-85A, S-95A, and PP-like, could not be measured because they were outside the measurement range.

[0098] [Table 1]

[0099] Table 2 shows the recommended modeling conditions (modeling material and presence or absence of internal space) for each body component, and examples of surgical procedures that can be performed using the modeled components. Here, for components where multiple modeling materials are recommended, the particularly recommended material is shown in bold. For example, from Table 2, it can be seen that ExS-10A, shown in Table 1, is the most recommended material for modeling the cerebrum, and that it is recommended to create internal space in the model components. The same applies to other body components. Note that in Table 2, each body component is classified into groups 1 to 3, but this is simply a classification for convenience.

[0100] [Table 2]

[0101] The inventors established a correlation between body components and fabrication conditions, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, and created selection criteria for fabrication conditions in medical model fabrication. This simplifies the selection of fabrication conditions and improves the efficiency of the medical model fabrication process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1...Modeling system, 10...Imaging device, 12...Processing device, 14...Display device, 16...Modeling device, 20...Input unit, 22...Processing unit, 24...Storage unit, 26...Output unit, 30...3D image generation unit, 32...Identification unit, 34...Modeling condition determination unit, 36...Modeling data generation unit, 38...Display control unit, 40...Program, 42...Body information database, 44...Association table, 50...Display unit, 700...3D image display unit, 702...Modeling condition setting unit, 704...Data correction unit, 706...Output instruction unit, P...Patient, B...Body part, BC...Body component, M...Medical model, MC...Model component, D1...Image data, D2...Modeling data.

Claims

1. A program for creating a medical model of a patient's body part, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties, corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part. In a computer processor, (a) A step of receiving image data of the body part of the patient, (b) A step of obtaining the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, (c) Based on the association information between the body component and the molding conditions of the model component corresponding to the body component, the step of determining molding conditions for molding a model component having the mechanical properties corresponding to the body component for each body component identified using the image data, (d) For at least one pair of two body components touching each other, the step of generating the molding data for the medical model based on the determined molding conditions, such that the two model components corresponding to the two body components touching each other are molded separately without mixing, in order to more accurately reproduce the bonding force at the boundary where the two body components touch each other compared to when the two model components corresponding to the two body components mix together and become one at the boundary; Make it run, In step (b) above, the identification result includes positional information for each body component that indicates the three-dimensional spatial region as a set of voxels occupied by each body component in the image data or three-dimensional image data generated from the image data, Step (b) includes, when identifying a three-dimensional spatial region as positional information of a body component, if the three-dimensional spatial region includes two adjacent voxels that share only a vertex, adding at least one other voxel that shares the vertex so that the two voxels are not connected by only one vertex, thereby connecting the two voxels via the at least one other voxel, the program.

2. The mechanical properties of the model component include the hardness of the model component. The program according to claim 1.

3. In the association information, the molding conditions of the plurality of body components and the plurality of model components are associated based on the Young's modulus of the human or non-human animal body component corresponding to the body component. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The molding conditions associated with the body component in the association information include information on a molding material having predetermined mechanical properties and color. In step (c) above, the molding conditions for the model component corresponding to the body component are determined based on the molding conditions associated with the body component in the association information. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In step (d), the modeling data is generated such that a space or another modeling material is placed between the two modeling components that are to be fabricated separately. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Step (d) is, (d-1) A step of generating primary molding data of the medical model based on the image data and molding conditions, (d-2) A step of generating the modeling data for the medical model by modifying the primary modeling data so that, for at least one pair of two adjacent body components, two model components corresponding to the two adjacent body components are molded as separate parts, including, The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Step (c) includes determining the porosity of at least one model component based on the molding conditions included in the association information. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Step (c) includes determining the molding conditions included in the association information such that at least one model component has an internal space that the corresponding body component does not have. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Step (c) includes determining at least one of the color and light transmittance for each of the plurality of model components, The program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Step (b) includes the step of obtaining the identification result from the image data using a trained model that has learned the relationship between the image data of the body part and the identification result of the body components of the body part contained in the image data, The program according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The aforementioned body part includes the lesion site, The medical model includes model components corresponding to the lesion site. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An information processing device for creating a medical model of a patient's body part using a modeling device, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties, corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part. An input unit that receives image data of the body parts of the patient, An identification unit that acquires the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, Based on association information between the body component and the molding conditions of the model component corresponding to the body component, a molding condition determination unit determines molding conditions for molding a model component having the mechanical properties corresponding to the body component for each body component identified using the image data, A modeling data generation unit generates modeling data for the medical model based on the determined modeling conditions, such that, for at least one pair of two body components in contact with each other, the two model components corresponding to the two body components are molded separately without mixing, in order to more accurately reproduce the bonding force at the boundary where the two body components touch each other, compared to the case where the two model components corresponding to the two body components mix and integrate at the boundary. Equipped with, The identification result includes positional information for each body component, which indicates the three-dimensional spatial region as a set of voxels occupied by each body component in the image data or the three-dimensional image data generated from the image data. The identification unit identifies a three-dimensional spatial region as positional information of a single body component, and if the three-dimensional spatial region includes two adjacent voxels that share only a vertex, it adds at least one other voxel that shares that vertex so that the two voxels are not connected by only one vertex, thereby identifying the three-dimensional spatial region to include them, and the two voxels are connected via the at least one other voxel, in this information processing device.

13. A method for fabricating a medical model of a patient's body part using a fabrication device, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties, corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part. A computer processor (a) A step of receiving image data of the body part of the patient, (b) A step of obtaining the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, (c) Based on the association information between the body component and the molding conditions of the model component corresponding to the body component, the step of determining molding conditions for molding a model component having the mechanical properties corresponding to the body component for each body component identified using the image data, (d) For at least one pair of two body components touching each other, the step of generating the molding data for the medical model based on the determined molding conditions, such that the two model components corresponding to the two body components touching each other are molded separately without mixing, in order to more accurately reproduce the bonding force at the boundary where the two body components touch each other compared to when the two model components corresponding to the two body components mix together and become one at the boundary; (e) The step of instructing the molding apparatus to mold the medical model based on the molding data, Execute, In step (b) above, the identification result includes positional information for each body component that indicates the three-dimensional spatial region as a set of voxels occupied by each body component in the image data or three-dimensional image data generated from the image data, Step (b) is a method wherein, when identifying a three-dimensional spatial region as positional information of a body component, if the three-dimensional spatial region includes two adjacent voxels that share only a vertex, the method includes adding at least one other voxel that shares a vertex so that the two voxels are not connected by only one vertex, thereby connecting the two voxels via the at least one other voxel.

14. A molding system comprising a molding device for molding a medical model of a patient's body part, and an information processing device for controlling the molding device, wherein the medical model includes a plurality of model components having different mechanical properties, corresponding to a plurality of body components included in the body part. The aforementioned information processing device is (a) A step of receiving image data of the body part of the patient, (b) A step of obtaining the identification result of the body components of the body part included in the image data, (c) Based on the association information between the body component and the molding conditions of the model component corresponding to the body component, the step of determining molding conditions for molding a model component having the mechanical properties corresponding to the body component for each body component identified using the image data, (d) For at least one pair of two body components touching each other, the step of generating the molding data for the medical model based on the determined molding conditions, such that the two model components corresponding to the two body components touching each other are molded separately without mixing, in order to more accurately reproduce the bonding force at the boundary where the two body components touch each other compared to when the two model components corresponding to the two body components mix together and become one at the boundary; (e) The step of instructing the molding apparatus to mold the medical model based on the molding data, It is configured to perform, In step (b) above, the identification result includes positional information for each body component that indicates the three-dimensional spatial region as a set of voxels occupied by each body component in the image data or three-dimensional image data generated from the image data, Step (b) includes, when identifying a three-dimensional spatial region as positional information of a body component, if the three-dimensional spatial region includes two adjacent voxels that share only a vertex, adding at least one other voxel that shares the vertex so that the two voxels are not connected by only one vertex, thereby connecting the two voxels via the at least one other voxel, thus forming a shaping system.

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