Reverse Engineering (RE) is a rapidly evolving discipline, which covers a multitude of activities. There are several application areas of RE, from industrial field to medical field and preservation of Cultural Heritage. It is a long time since Design and Methods Research group of University of Udine has been involved in RE methods for medical applications in collaboration with Radiology Clinic and Maxillo Facial Clinic of University of Udine. In this study we propose an overview of RE techniques used for medical applications, to point out the analogies and differences in RE process applied to this particular field than to the industrial (mechanical) one, in terms of process phases and problems of data elaboration. This paper begins with a RE methods overview and a shape systems taxonomy. Then it follows a description of RE techniques used for medical application such as CT and MRI scans, and X–Ray elaboration. Then attention is given to the description of data elaboration procedure in terms of 3D model reconstruction and software aids. Finally, some examples of 3D reconstructed models are given and conclusions are illustrated with particular attention to further developments.
