Synopsys Simpleware ScanIP is a 3D image processing and model generation software program developed by Synopsys Inc. to visualise, analyse, quantify, segment and export 3D image data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), microtomography and other modalities for computer-aided design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and 3D printing.Johnson, E., Young, P., 2005. Simpleware: From 3D image to mesh in minutes. CSAR Focus, Edition 14 (Autumn - Winter 2005), 13-15. http://www.csar.cfs.ac.uk/about/csarfocus/focus14/focus14_simpleware.pdf The software is used in the life sciences, materials science, nondestructive testing, reverse engineering and petrophysics.
Segmented images can be exported in the STL file format, surface meshes and point clouds, to CAD and 3D printing or, with the FE module, exported as surface/volume meshes directly into leading computer-aided engineering (CAE) solvers.Johnson, E., 2005. Simpleware: From 3D Image to Mesh. The Focus, Issue 39, 2. The CAD and NURBS add-on modules can be used to integrate CAD objects into image data, and to convert scan data into NURBS-based models for CAD. The SOLID, FLOW and LAPLACE add-on modules can be used to calculate effective material properties from scanned samples using homogenisation techniques. Since 2020, Simpleware software has included Simpleware AS Ortho and Simpleware AS Cardio, modules for automated segmentation of medical image data that uses artificial intelligence-based machine learning.Simpleware Automated Solutions Modules.https://www.synopsys.com/simpleware/software/auto-segmenter-modules.html. In addition, a fully customizable module, Simpleware Custom Modeler, is available.Synopsys Introduces Machine Learning-Based Auto Segmentation Module for 3D Image Processing. Synopsys Press Release, March 11, 2020. https://news.synopsys.com/2020-03-11-Synopsys-Introduces-Machine-Learning-Based-Auto-Segmentation-Module-for-3D-Image-Processing
Application areas
Life sciences Simpleware ScanIP generates high-quality 3D models from image data suitable for a wide range of design and simulation applications related to life sciences. Image data from sources like MRI and CT can be visualised, analysed, segmented and quantified, before being exported as CAD, CAE and 3D printing models. Different tissues, bones and other parts of the body can be identified using a wide range of segmentation and processing tools in the software. Options are also available for integrating CAD and image data, enabling medical device research to be conducted into how CAD-designed implants interact with the human body. High-quality CAE models can similarly be used in biomechanics research to simulate movement and the effect of different forces on anatomies. An example of this is the US Naval Research Laboratory/Simpleware head model, generated from high-resolution MRI scans and segmented to create data that can be easily meshed to suit specific finite element (FE) applications, such as head impact and concussion.
Applications for the software have included researching implant positioning,Ali, A.A., Cristofolini, L., Schileo, E., Hu, H., Taddei, F., Kim, R.H., Rullkoetter, P.J., Laz, P.J., 2013. Specimen-Specific Modeling of Hip Fracture Pattern and Repair. Journal of Biomechanics, 47(2), 536-543 statistical shape analysis,Wu, J., Wang, Y., Simon, M.A., Sacks, M.S., Brigham, J.C., 2013. A new computational framework for anatomically consistent 3D statistical shape analysis with clinical imaging applications. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization, 1(1), 13-27., and computational fluid dynamics analysis of blood flow in vascular networks.Cardona, A., Lacroix, D., 2012. COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS OF COMPLEX VASCULAR NETWORK FUNCTIONALITY. Journal of Biomechanics, 45(1), S36. With Simpleware's scripting tools, it is possible to explore the best positioning for hip implants.Horner, M., Getting the Right Prosthetic Hip Implant Positioning, ANSYS Blog, 23 October 2014. http://www.ansys-blog.com/prosthetic-hip-implant-positioning/ 3D models can be used to analyse patellofemoral kinematics.Baldwin, M.A., Clary, C., Maletsky, L.P., Rullkoetter, P.J., 2009. Verification of predicted specimen-specific natural and implanted patellofemoral kinematics during simulated deep knee bend. Journal of Biomechanics, 42, 2341–2348 Simpleware-generated human body models can be used to simulate the effect of electromagnetic radiation in MRI scanners.Bonino, P. Electromagnetics in the healthcare industry. Altair HyperWorks Insider. 29 July 2014. http://insider.altairhyperworks.com/electromagnetics-healthcare-industry/ Other application areas for models created within Simpleware's software environment include simulating transcranial direct current stimulation,Datta, A, Bikson M, Fregni F, (2010), Transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with skull defects and skull plates: High-resolution computational FEM study of factors altering cortical current flow. NeuroImage (52.4). pp. 1268-1278. and testing electrode placements for treating epilepsy.Rossi, M., Stebbins, G., Murphy, C., Greene, D, et al (2010) Predicting white matter targets for direct neurostimulation therapy. Epilepsy Research. Volume 91, Issues 2-3. pp. 176-186. In terms of dental research, evaluations of dental implants have been made by integrating CAD objects with anatomical data and exporting for simulation.Queijo, L., Rocha, J., Barreira, L., Ramos, A., San Juan, M., Barbosa, T., 2009. Maxilla bone pre-surgical evaluation aided by 3D models obtained by Rapid Prototyping. Biodental Engineering, 139-144.Hohmann, A., Kober, C., Radtke, T., Young, P., Geiger, M., Boryor, A., Sander, C., Sander F.G., 2008. Feasibility study about finite element simulation of the dental periodontal ligament in vivo. Journal of Medical Biomechanics, 2008(01), 26-30.
Medical devices
Simpleware ScanIP Medical is a version of the software intended for use as a medical device. It has 510(k) market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class II Medical Device,510(k) Premarket Notification: ScanIP. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K203195 as well as CE marking and ISO 13485 certifications.Synopsys Launches Simpleware ScanIP Medical with CE Marking and FDA 510(k) Clearance. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/synopsys-launches-simpleware-scanip-medical-with-ce-marking-and-fda-510k-clearance-300792528.html
Simpleware ScanIP Medical is intended for use as a software interface and image segmentation system for the transfer of medical imaging information to an output file. It is also intended as pre-operative software for diagnostic and surgical planning. For these purposes, output files can also be used for the fabrication of physical replicas using traditional or additive manufacturing methods. The physical replicas can be used for diagnostic purposes in the field of orthopedic, maxillofacial and cardiovascular applications. The software is intended to be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools and expert clinical judgment.
Those that still want to use Synopsys Simpleware ScanIP for non-clinical medical applications, such as research in the Life Sciences, are recommended to use the core Synopsys Simpleware ScanIP package, which is not intended for clinical use.
Natural sciences, including paleontology and functional morphology Simpleware ScanIP is used to reconstruct anatomies from scan data for the investigation of different biological and other organic processes within the Natural Sciences. Paleontological uses of ScanIP include the reconstruction of dinosaur skeletons, while the software has been used to generate a model of a shark head suitable for rapid prototyping and testing of how sharks smell,Abel, R.L., Maclaine, J.S., Cotton, R., Bui Xuan, V., Nickels, T.B., Clark, T.H., Wang, Z., Cox, J.P.L., 2010. Functional morphology of the nasal region of a hammerhead shark. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A, 155, 464–475. and for generating STL models of a pseudomorph suitable for 3D printing.u-VIS case study: Pseudomorph modelling. University of Southampton. http://www.southampton.ac.uk/~muvis/case_studies/04_Pseudomorph_modelling.html ScanIP has also been used for biomimicry projects for the Eden Project, and for producing artworks inspired by morphology.Simpleware will contribute to Biomimicry display. CFDFea.com. 15 June 2005.http://www.cfdfea.com/2005/06/simpleware-joins-the-eden-project-in-public-awareness-scheme/ ScanIP can be used to reverse engineer ant necks to improve understanding of their mechanics.Nguyen, V.N., Lilly, B.W., & Castro, C.E., 2012. Reverse Engineering the Structure and Function of the Allegheny Mound Ant Neck. In: ASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, 9–15 November 2012 Houston, Texas, USA.
Materials Science Simpleware ScanIP has extensive applications in different materials sciences and manufacturing workflows where researchers investigate the properties of scanned samples. Scans of composites and other samples can be visualised and processed in ScanIP, enabling multiple phases and porous networks to be explored and analysed.Alghamdi, A., Khan, A., Mummery, P., & Sheikh, M., 2013. The characterisation and modelling of manufacturing porosity of a 2-D carbon/carbon composite. Journal of Composite Materials. http://jcm.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/09/13/0021998313502739.abstract Measurements can be taken, for example, of fractures and cracks, and statistics generated for porosity distribution and other features. ScanIP can be combined with the FE module to generate volume meshes for FE and CFD characterisation of stress or strain distribution, permeability and other material properties.Coleri, E., & Harvey, J.T., 2013. A fully heterogeneous viscoelastic finite element model for full-scale accelerated pavement testing. Construction and Building Materials, 43, 14-30. Example applications include fuel cell characterisation,Clague, R., Shearing, P.R., Lee, P.D., Zhang, Z., Brett, D.J.L., Marquis, A.J., Brandon, N.P., 2011. Stress analysis of solid oxide fuel cell anode microstructure reconstructed from focused ion beam tomography. Journal of Power Sources, 196(21), 9018-9021 and modelling the effect of porosity on the elastic properties of synthetic graphite.Sowa, G., Paul, R., Smith, R., 2013. Modeling the Effect of Porosity on the Elastic Properties of Synthetic Graphite Using CT Scans and the Finite Element Method. In: COMSOL Conference Boston 2013, 9–11 October 2013 Boston.
Petrophysics Simpleware ScanIP is used in the oil and gas industry for generating 3D models from scans of core samples and rocks. Image data taken from CT, micro-CT, Focused ion beam Scanning electron microscope scans and other imaging modalities can be imported and visualised, enabling exploration of pore networks, segmentation of regions of interest, and measurement and quantification of features. Processed data can be exported using the FE module as volume meshes for FEA and CFD in solvers, allowing for insights into fluid-structure-analysis and other geomechanical properties.Blaheta, R., Kohut, R., Kolcun, A., Souček, K., Staš, L., 2013. Micromechanics of geocomposites: CT images and FEM simulations. In: Kwaśniewski, M., Łydżba, D. (Eds.), 2013. Rock Mechanics for Resources, Energy and Environment, pp. 399-404. London : CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group.Saxena, N., Mavko, G., Dvorkin, J., Young, P., Richards, S., Mukerji, T., 2013. Digital Simulations and Rock Physics Modeling of Bituminous Sand. In: Stanford Rock Physics & Borehole Geophysics Annual Meeting, 19–21 June 2013 Menlo Park.
Nondestructive testing (NDT)