Characteristics:

• 3D models from MRI
• Visualisation of segmented image data of aneurysm
• Cropping and processing of segmented data
• Export of image data for simulation in ANSYS©

Image Processing

       The geometry of the aneurysm was obtained from an MRI patient scan. This data was imported into ScanIP, where automated thresholding and floodfill tools were used to separate out regions of interest, keeping only the parent artery. Cropping was then employed to reduce the region of interest for analysis. A low-pass (Gaussian) filter was applied to segmented data to reduce the noise-to-signal ratio and smooth the image. Processed image data was exported to ANSYS© for further analysis.

FSI Simulation

       Boundary conditions were set for modelling fluid structure interaction (FSI) on the mechanical properties of aneurysm tissue material. Simulations were carried out in ANSYS to determine whether significant geometrical differences are measurable between a soft (close to the rupture) aneurysm and a stiff (healthy) aneurysm. Differences were observed based on volume variations and maximal mesh displacements for two aneurysm models along a typical cardiac cycle, and in the context of parametric tests.