DEVELOPMENT OF A 3-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONIC SOLIDS MODEL OF THE LOWER FORELIMB OF THE HORSE

This study uses computed tomography and computer aided design software (I-DEAS(TM)) for the development of a three-dimensional electronic so lids model of the lower limb of the horse. Data from two millimeter tr ansverse contiguous slices of the distal forelimb of a yearling horse were acquired from a computed tomographic scanner and then transferred to a computer system via magnetic tape. Outline of the bony tissue fo r each scan slice was first obtained with a feature extraction algorit hm. A solids model for each skeletal segment of the specimen was then reconstructed with I-DEAS(TM) and subsequently displayed with various graphics options. The reconstructed electronic solids model would be u seful for the study of 3D joint mechanics and finite element analysis of the bony structures, as well as for diagnostic purposes providing C T images could be obtained antemortem.