Single Action Three-Dimensional Model Printing Methods

Abstract

Methods and techniques of using 3D printers to create physical models from image data are discussed. Geometric representations of different physical models are described and complex data conversion processes that convert input image data into geometric representations compatible with third party 3D printers are disclosed. Printing templates are used to encapsulate complex geometric representations and complicated data conversion processes from users for fast and simple 3D physical model printing applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A printing template method of single-action 3D printing of a solid body comprising steps of:
 receiving an image data set as input;   identifying voxels in empty regions and in regions with tissues or materials;   generating a geometric representation from the identified voxels; and   sending the generated geometric representation to a 3D printer for printing a physical model.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image data set has a plurality of voxels, each voxel having an intensity value; wherein the image data set comprises images of one or more three-dimensional regions obtained using one or more imaging modalities selected from magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, X-ray imaging, positron emission tomography, microscopy imaging, simulated image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying of voxels includes checking the image attribute of each voxel against a predefined criteria for the empty regions to identify whether the voxel is in an empty region or not. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predefined criteria may be one or more value ranges to identify whether the voxel is within the ranges or outside the ranges. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying of voxels includes checking the image attribute of each voxel against a value range indicating no-tissue to identify no-tissue or empty regions; wherein voxels that are outside the range are identified as tissue regions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the geometric representation may be a list of 3D points, a list of 3D contours, a list of 3D polygonal surface models, or a combination of them.