Reconstruction of muscle fascicle architecture from iodine-enhanced microCT images: A combined texture mapping and streamline approach

摘要: Skeletal muscle models are used to investigate motion and force generation in both biological bioengineering research. Yet, they often lack a realistic representation of the muscle's internal architecture which is primarily composed fibre bundles, known as fascicles. Recently, it has been shown that fascicles can be resolved with micro-computed tomography (µCT) following staining tissue iodine potassium iodide (I2KI). Here, we present reconstruction fascicular spatial arrangement geometry superficial masseter dog based on combination pattern recognition streamline computation. A cadaveric head was incubated I2KI µCT-scanned. Following segmentation statistical algorithm applied create vector field fascicle directions. Streamlines were then transform into representation. The lengths reconstructed pennation angles two planes (frontal sagittal) extracted compared against tracked obtained through cadaver dissection. Both found vary substantially within confirming complex heterogeneous nature skeletal described by previous studies. While there significant differences angle between experimentally derived µCT-reconstructed data, congruence lengths. We conclude presented approach allows for embedding information finite element muscles better understand functioning musculoskeletal system.