4D patient specific model of quadriceps muscles using static and CINE MRI images

We present in this paper the methodology developed at the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUGE) to obtain a full patient specific 4D computational model of individual muscles of lower limb function. Static and dynamic CINE MRI sequences were developed to acquire high-resolution and functional images of quadriceps muscles at rest and during exercise. After muscle segmentation from static images, 2D outlines at specific locations are extracted from the computed 3D mesh and applied to the corresponding dynamic images at rest. These contours are then extended in time and interpolated in space to offer a 4D model of patient´s muscle behaviour during exercise. The developed technique can be clinically applied in muscle assessment and evaluation of muscle recovery after surgery. In future work, the developed model will be extended with registered metabolic data acquired with a state-of-the art PET/MRI hybrid device. Offering a multimodal and multidimensional model of anatomical and metabolic muscle behaviour.