CT-scan data acquisition to generate biomechanical models of bone structures

The conversion of a CT scan dataset in an accurate and manageable three dimensional model is a basic procedure in almost every branch of computational biomechanics. However, little attention is usually given to the CT scan acquisition protocol to be used in these cases. In this work a set of procedures is described which were developed to improve the quality and the usefulness of the CT scan datasets to be used for modelling purposes. The proposed protocol addresses three specific aspects of the CT data collection: calibration, scan planning and reconstruction of metallic parts. All these techniques, when properly used, allows an accurate data collection, which is the preliminary requirement for the creation of every good biomechanical model.