Abstract

Background: With the advancement of computer and medical imaging technologies, a number of high-resolution, voxel-based, full-body human anatomical models have been developed for medical education, industrial design, and physics simulation studies. However, these models are limited in many applications because they are often only in an upstanding posture.

Objective: To quickly develop multi-pose human models for different applications. A semi-automatic framework for voxel deformation is proposed in the study.

Methods: This paper describes a framework for human pose deformation based on three-dimensional (3D) medical images. The voxel model is first converted into a surface model using a surface reconstruction algorithm. Second, a deformation skeleton based on human bones is defined, and the surface model is bound to the skeleton. The bone Glow algorithm is used to assign weights to the surface vertices. Then, the model is deformed to the target posture by using the Smoothed Rotation Enhanced As-Rigid-As-Possible (SR-ARAP) algorithm. Finally, the volume-filling algorithm is applied to refill the tissues into the deformed surface model.

Results: The proposed framework is used to deform two standing human models, and the sitting and running models are developed. The results show that the framework can successfully develop the target pose. When compared to the results of the As-Rigid-As-Possible algorithm, SR-ARAP preserves local tissues better.

Conclusion: The study proposes a frame for voxel human model deformation and improves the local tissue integrity during deformation.