3D modeling and deformation analysis of the vertebra with spherical harmonics

This work relates to the diagnosis of spine scoliosis where 3D shape modeling and analysis is of main importance. The authors address the problem of the geometrical modeling of the spine by focusing on the modeling of the shape of isolated vertebra. They present a multiresolution and accurate modeling of the vertebra surface based on spherical harmonics. The behavior of the model under deformations is then studied. The authors show how particular deformations can be recovered from the coefficients of the model