The invention provides a system for virtually designing a medical device
conformed for use with a specific patient. Using the system, a
three-dimensional geometric model of a patient-specific body cavity or
lumen is reconstructed from scanned volume images such as obtained
x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT),
ultrasound (US), angiography or other imaging modalities. Knowledge of
the physical properties of the cavity/lumen is obtained by determining
the relationship between image density and the stiffness or elasticity of
tissues in the body cavity or lumen and is used to model interactions
between a simulated device and a simulated body cavity or lumen.