Introduction to mimics

Mimics is an interactive Medical Image of materialise.
The image control system is materiaise's interactive medical image control.
System. It is a modular software that can be matched according to the user's unnecessary needs. The following is an introduction to these modules:

MimicsSoftware Introduction

Mimics is a highly integrated and easy-to-use software for generating and editing 3D images. It can input various scanned data (CT and MRI) and create 3D models for editing, then, the general CAD (Computer-Aided Design), FEA (finite element analysis), and RP (Rapid Prototyping) formats are output, which can be used for large-scale data conversion on PC.

MedcadModule:

MedcadThe module serves as a bridge between medical image data and CAD. It communicates with each other through two-way interaction mode to realize mutual conversion between scanning data and CAD data.

There are two ways to create a cad project in a mimics project:
1. contour Modeling:

Under the segmentation function, mimics automatically generates contour lines on the separated mask. medcad can automatically generate a local contour model under the given error conditions, and then use it in the medical geometric CAD model.

Possible methods for creating a CAD model:

-B-spline and Curved Surface

-Point, line, circle, surface, sphere, and cylinder

All these entities can be output to CAD software in IGES format to make implants. Another typical application is to use the medcad module for statistical analysis, such as measuring a lot of data on different femoral heads, this is a reference for the establishment of standard femoral head implants.

2. parameterized or interactive CAD Modeling

You can directly create CAD objects in 2D or 3D views, or create a circle by setting parameters (such as defining the center and radius to create a circle). After the creation, you can use the mouse to perform interactive editing.

Easy design verification:

To verify the design of the CAD implant, the mimics input STL file format is displayed in the 2D view and standard view, or in the 3D view, and the anatomical relationship is displayed transparently, this method can be used to quickly call medical image data in CAD design software.

RP-SLICEModule:

The RP-slice module establishes an slice format interface between mimics and most RP machines. The RP-slice module can automatically generate the supporting structure required for the RP model.

Fast and accurate data conversion for RP machines:

The RP slice technology can be used to process large files and maintain a high resolution. When a sliced file is created, the resolution of the RP model is improved using a cubic Interpolation Algorithm.

The patented materialise technology not only accelerates the molding process by four times, but also saves more materials and facilitates cleaning.

Slice:

RP-slice can perform the best and most precise data conversion in a short time, and output SLI and SLC format to 3D system, CLI format to Eos. The high-order interpolation algorithm enables scanning data to become a 3D entity model with a perfect surface.

Coloring:

RP-slice supports color Photosensitive Materials: teeth, roots, glands, neural tube, and so on can all be marked out in the model. This is a new reference dimension, patient information can also be embedded or labeled with color labels.

Parameters:

RP-slice allows you to set parameters such as layer thickness, resolution, and scaling ratio. Multiple filtering methods are available, such as filtering the minimum segment length, minimum contour length, and linear deviation correction. Slice data can be saved in multiple formats: *. cli, *. SLI, and *. SLC.

Support generation:

Supports the generation function, automatically generates the supported structures required for quick prototyping, and automatically outputs the structures in the corresponding file format (SLI, SLC, and CLI format ), this not only provides a faster data preparation method before molding, but also the patented pore forming technology can shorten the entire process by more than four times and save materials, generation support is easier to clean up than that generated in traditional methods.

Supported parameter selection:

Several support generation parameters are available for selection. RP-slice makes it possible to define the support in the X and Y coordinate planes. You can define the support length and the hole forming angle, the maximum angle of no support and the start and end height of the support.

Mimics STL +Module:

The mimics STL + module interacts with mimics and RP rapid prototyping technology through the triangle file format. The binary and intermediate surface interpolation algorithms ensure the final accuracy of the rapid prototyping.

Output Format:

Standard 3D file output formats, such as STL or VRML (Virtual Reality file format), STL file formats can be used on any RP machine, and powerful adaptive filtering functions can significantly reduce the file size, it can be output from the mask, 3D graph, and 3DD file format. The output file formats include ASC ⅱ STL, binay STL, DXF, vrml2.0, pointclouds.

Parameter settings:

You can select several parameters. the STL + module can reduce the number of triangles in the output file and smooth the 3D model by performing Interpolation on the image.

L there are two ways to reduce the number of triangles: Matrix Reduction and triangle reduction. Matrix Reduction can combine the body elements (or image points) to calculate the triangle, triangle slice reduction can reduce the number of triangles in the mesh division process. Reducing the number of triangles facilitates file operations.

L there are two ways to generate a 3D grid through interpolation of the image: Gray interpolation and contour interpolation. contour interpolation is 2D interpolation in the image plane, so that these images can be expanded in height. Gray interpolation is a real 3D interpolation.

When the image display quality we need is better than 3D reconstruction and STL file accuracy, we can apply the continuous algorithm function, while the precise algorithm is used.

L The smoothing algorithm makes the rough surface smoother.

Mimics FEAModule:

The mimics FEA module can quickly process the scanned input data and output the corresponding file format for FEA (finite element analysis) and CFD (computer fluid dynamics simulation ), you can use scan data to create a 3D model, and then divide the surface into grids for application in FEA analysis. The re-division function in the FEA module optimizes the FEA input data to the maximum extent. Based on the hens' unit of scan data, the material distribution of the body mesh can be performed.

Create a 3D model with point cloud data in mimics.

In the FEA module, the mesh of the 3D model is re-divided using mimics's grid partitioning function.

The FEA module is output to FEA software, such as PATRAN neutral, ANSYS, and ABAQUS surface.

Convert the surface mesh to the adult mesh for pre-processing (e.g. msc, Marc ,...)

Enter the PATRAN, ANSYS, and ABAQUS object mesh files in the FEA module.

In the FEA module, material is allocated to the body mesh based on scan data.

In the FEA module, the assigned body mesh is output to FEA software such as PATRAN, ANSYS, or ABAQUS.

Mimics grid redraw function:

Mimics's grid partitioning function can significantly improve the quality and processing speed of STL models, and easily convert irregular triangles into triangles that are close to the same side. More professional semi-automatic or manual division can be performed in the further automatic re-division function for better FEA analysis.

L more quality control parameters:

The mimics mesh redraw function provides up to 14 general quality control parameters. You can select an appropriate method to calculate the quality of the triangle.

L simple automatic grid redraw function:

The grid redraw function can automatically improve the quality of a triangle. it searches for all the bad triangles under the preset quality level and then converts them to an acceptable shape.

L manual mesh re-partitioning:

In some cases, after automatic mesh re-drawing, the quality of the triangle is lower than the requirement, so we can manually re-draw the mesh, the grid redraw feature provides a unique toolbox to manually modify their shapes.

To improve the reliability and accuracy of FE analysis:

The mimics mesh redraw function provides highly automated interfaces for all FEA software, which can significantly improve the reliability and accuracy of FEA analysis results of STL models. Most FEA tools and software do not support grid RE-partitioning optimization, which will compromise the accuracy of the final results. The mimics Grid re-partitioning function will be used to obtain the most optimized files, then, output the optimization results to the FEA software.

Save operation time:

In general, optimization takes a long time, but the mimics grid redraw function greatly shortens this time.

Material Distribution:

After loading the body mesh data, the FEA function calculates the gray value of the benefit unit for each unit of the mesh based on the scanned image data. Then, the corresponding materials can be defined according to different gray ranges, material can also be defined by density, e modulus, and Poisson coefficient. The body mesh allocated with materials is output to the PATRAN neutral, ANSYS, and ABAQUS files.

L evenly distribute materials:

The Heinz unit in the body mesh is divided into equal areas, each region corresponds to different substances, and the Heinz unit is converted into a density value by empirical formula, then, the density value is assigned to the corresponding body mesh, and the E modulus and Poisson coefficient are defined for each material.

L allocate materials using the lookup table:

In an XML file, assign the corresponding density value to the gray value, input the XML file in the FEA module, and allocate materials to each object mesh according to the definition of the XML file, then, e modulus and Poisson coefficient are defined for each material.

Surgical simulation module:

The mimics surgical simulation module is a platform for Surgical Simulation Applications. Detailed data analysis can be performed using a human body measurement analysis template to simulate bone cutting, separation, and implant procedures, it is helpful to explain the implant procedure.

Body Measurement Analysis:

To perform human body measurement and analysis, select a template to pre-set the required marking, reference surface and measurement method. After the marking points required for the plane and measurement method are determined, the plane and measurement method are also determined. If there is no suitable template, you can also customize the template.

Tag list:

You can create, copy, edit, or delete a tag. Before you perform the preceding operations, each tag has its own default attributes. The editable features include: tag Name, color, and description.

Plane list;

The second list allows you to easily define one or more planes for analysis. to define an analysis plane, you must first define a marking point or a plane based on a previously generated template.

Measurement list:

There are multiple ways to choose to measure the angle or distance. For distance measurement, either between two points or between one point and one plane can be measured. For angle measurement, you can use the three-point method and two-line method (each line is determined by two points). Note: measurement can only be performed on the points and surfaces defined in the template.

Procedure simulation:

The mimics surgical simulation feature provides a powerful 3D toolkit for surgical simulation, a variety of tools for simulating bone-cutting and separation procedures, and operations on STL files are available.

Cutting:

Two cutting tools are available: multi-dimensional wire cutting and multi-dimensional Wire Cutting with cutting surface. In multi-dimensional Wire Cutting, you can define a cutting curve using the line drawing method. The cutting surface is perpendicular to the video plane, if the cutting depth is not transparent, this cutting will be ineffective. The multi-cutting method with the cutting surface is a free cutting tool, which can be dragged and cut in 3D and 2D, the cutting track is displayed in 2D and 3D in real time.

Split:

This function divides an object into independent 3D models, and then creates multiple local 3D models.

Integration:

The fusion function converts the selected models into one model.

Image:

The image function can generate a new object along a set plane or a flat (derived from human data analysis or medcad) image, you can select multiple objects for image operations.

Placement traction:

After the cutting operation, you can select a proper tractor from the database and place it on the 3D model for comparison, because the cutting operation cannot be performed automatically, therefore, the operator must understand the correct method of using the selected tractor.

Adjust the traction position:

To simulate the positioning and adjustment of the tractor, the analysis view of the tractor movement can be used as a reference.

Positioning function:

Objects can be moved or rotated, and any operation method can be used to achieve the user's purpose.

There are several ways to modify objects: moving along the axial direction, moving in the plane, rotating along the axis, rotating along the point, of course, there is no such restriction operation is also a choice.

The registration function allows you to easily adjust an object by clicking the marker or moving the mouse to adjust the object.

Additional features:

The imported STL file can be added to the project manager. The buttons Under the STL tab in the project manager can rotate and move STL files.

There is an existing neural tool: first draw in 2D, and then add a neural label in the project manager.