# New module: Baffle planner - for designing surface patches

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799>\
**Category:** Support\
**Tags:** feature\
**Created:** [March 28, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799 "2021-03-28T16:47:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/1 "2021-03-28T16:47:12Z")

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A new [Baffle planner module](https://github.com/SlicerHeart/SlicerHeart/blob/master/Docs/BafflePlanner.md) has been added to **[SlicerHeart extension](https://github.com/SlicerHeart/SlicerHeart#slicerheart-extension-for-3d-slicer)** that can be generally used whenever a **smooth surface patch needed that conforms to pre-existing anatomical boundary**. By default a “soap-bubble” surface is created for the specified curve but the surface **shape can be edited** by specifying additional surface points in either slice or 3D views.

The module can generate an infinitely thin open surface, or a closed **surface with specified thickness**.

The module can also generate a **flattened** shape, which reproduces the shape and size of the 3D surface patch with a planar shape, with minimal distortion. This is useful as a cutout template for fabric (e.g., dacron mesh).

The module was originally designed for surgical repair of heart walls, but it can be used universally anywhere where a smooth 3D surface needs to be generated that conforms to the patient anatomy. See more information in [this paper](https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(21)00457-4/pdf).

An example of an alternative application is generating bone flap models:

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AigTwMYRI1Y/maxresdefault.jpg "Design surface patches using new Baffle Planner module") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AigTwMYRI1Y)

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**Author:** ![manjula](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/manjula/32/80981_2.png) [@manjula](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/manjula)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/2 "2021-03-28T17:46:44Z")

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Thank you for this. It is a wonderful tool.

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**Author:** ![juangdiosa](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/juangdiosa/32/717_2.png) [@juangdiosa](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/juangdiosa)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/3 "2021-03-28T18:05:12Z")

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Excellent tool !!

is this tool available right now ? I am working in something where this tool could be very useful. I have downloaded the Slicer-Heart extension in the stable Slicer version and I did not find it.

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**Author:** ![juangdiosa](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/juangdiosa/32/717_2.png) [@juangdiosa](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/juangdiosa)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/4 "2021-03-28T19:31:22Z")

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My mistake, I had the stable version from November. I have installed the March 2021 version and it works. Thanks a lot for this improvement

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**Author:** ![juangdiosa](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/juangdiosa/32/717_2.png) [@juangdiosa](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/juangdiosa)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/5 "2021-04-05T17:30:07Z")

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Thanks a lot for this new tool, it is very useful and It has saved me a lot of time. After a week using it. I suggest to allow add or delete nodes on any position of the base curve [contour points] and not base on the last node added.

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**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/6 "2021-04-06T13:03:11Z")

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> [@juangdiosa](#):
>
> I suggest to allow add or delete nodes on any position of the base curve [contour points] and not base on the last node added.

This is already available: you can right-click on any control points and choose to delete that point.

> [@juangdiosa](#):
>
> it is very useful and It has saved me a lot of time

It would be great if you could write a few sentences and maybe post a nice picture in the [Success stories category](https://discourse.slicer.org/c/community/success-stories/29).

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**Author:** ![hagop\_hovaguimian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/hagop_hovaguimian/32/11335_2.png) [@hagop\_hovaguimian](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/hagop_hovaguimian)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2021, 4:13am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/7 "2021-06-22T04:13:07Z")

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I have the slicer V4.13 version and can’t find the baffle planner module in the extensions .Help…

Hagop Hovaguimian

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**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2021, 4:29am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/8 "2021-06-22T04:29:30Z")

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See above - the module is in SlicerHeart extension.

> [@lassoan](#):
>
> A new module has been added in [SlicerHeart extension](https://github.com/SlicerHeart/SlicerHeart#slicerheart-extension-for-3d-slicer) that can be generally used whenever a **smooth surface patch needed that conforms to pre-existing anatomical boundary**.

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**Author:** ![hagop\_hovaguimian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/hagop_hovaguimian/32/11335_2.png) [@hagop\_hovaguimian](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/hagop_hovaguimian)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2021, 4:49am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-module-baffle-planner-for-designing-surface-patches/16799/9 "2021-06-22T04:49:51Z")

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Found it. Thanks for the amazingly prompt response, and thank you for this sorely needed module.

Hagop