Visualizing, Analyzing and Constructing L-System from Arborized 3D Model Using a Web Application

International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC), pp. 257–264

Abstract

In biology, arborized structures are well represented and typically complex for visualization and analysis. In order to have a profound understanding of the topology of arborized 3D biological model, higher level abstraction is needed. We aim at constructing an abstraction of arborized 3D biological model to an L-system that provides a generalized formalization in a grammar to represent complex structures. The focus of this paper is to combine 3D visualization, analysis and L-system abstraction into a single web application. We designed a front-end user interface and a back-end. In the front-end, we used A-Frame and defined algorithms to generate and visualize L-systems. In the back-end, we utilized the Vascular Modelling Toolkit's (VMTK) centerline analysis methods to extract important features from the arborized 3D models, which can be applied to L-system generation. In addition, two 3D biological models: lactiferous duct and artery are used as two case studies to verify the functionality of this web application. In conclusion, our web application is able to visualize, analyse and create L-system abstractions of arborized 3D models. This in turn provides workflow-improving benefits, easy accessibility and extensibility.

Authors 3

1. Nick van Nielen Aachen Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands, --- Select a Country ---

2. Fons J. Verbeek Aachen Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands, --- Select a Country ---

3. Lu Cao corresponding Aachen Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands, --- Select a Country ---