Approximation of missing sections in computer reconstruction of serial EM pictures.

Replacing missing contours or completing a series of contours of biological structures has been investigated. The paper reports on a method for approximating lateral surfaces between adjacent contours and generating new artificial outlines by slicing the interpolated surface parallel with the original sections. The research method was developed mainly due to the need to fill in damaged or missing ultrathin sections in longer series, since their absence may impede the three-dimensional visualization of selected components. The new program attached to the shape reconstruction program system existing at Second Department of Anatomy, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary also permits new contours to be generated into the models of single or branching objects. Besides replacing missing contours, the program makes the reconstructed model more precise.