Integrated education of gross anatomy and CT radiology for current advances in medicine

It is essential to learn human anatomy in 3D for advanced medicine. We designed such an education system by integrating anatomy dissection with diagnostic CT radiology. Cadavers were scanned by CT, and students consulted the postmortem CT images while dissecting the cadaver to gain a better understanding of 3D human anatomy and diagnostic radiology. Students used handheld DICOM viewers at the bench-side (OsiriX on iPod touch). Students had lectures and workshops on diagnostic radiology, and study assignments where they discussed findings in anatomy labs in comparison with CT radiology. This teaching method for gross anatomy was used from 2009, and yielded positive students’ perspectives, and significant improvements in radiology skills at clinical courses.This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Tohru Murakami, Yuki Tajika, Hitoshi Ueno, Sachiko Awata, Satoshi Hirasawa, Maki Sugimoto, Yoshihiko Kominato, Yoshito Tsushima, Keigo Endo, and Hiroshi Yorifuji. An integrated teaching method of gross anatomy and computed tomography radiology. Anat Sci Educ, 2014, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1002/ase.1430/abstract

Innovative 3D visualisation and artificial intelligence tools augment medical education and clinical practice

A recent study comparing MR and 3D printing technologies with original CT imaging in the assessment of congenital heart disease (CHD) has further highlighted the clinical value of these novel visualisation tool

Artificial Intelligence, Computational Simulations, and Extended Reality in Cardiovascular Interventions

Artificial intelligence, computational simulations, and extended reality, among other 21st century computational technologies, are changing the health care system. To collectively highlight the most recent advances and benefits of artificial intelligence, computational simulations, and extended reality in cardiovascular therapies, we coined the abbreviation AISER. The review particularly focuses on the following applications of AISER: 1) preprocedural planning and clinical decision making; 2) virtual clinical trials, and cardiovascular device research, development, and regulatory approval; and 3) education and training of interventional health care professionals and medical technology innovators. We also discuss the obstacles and constraints associated with the application of AISER technologies, as well as the proposed solutions. Interventional health care professionals, computer scientists, biomedical engineers, experts in bioinformatics and visualization, the device industry, ethics committees, and regulatory agencies are expected to streamline the use of AISER technologies in cardiovascular interventions and medicine in general

Immersive Visualization in Biomedical Computational Fluid Dynamics and Didactic Teaching and Learning

Virtual reality (VR) can stimulate active learning, critical thinking, decision making and improved performance. It requires a medium to show virtual content, which is called a virtual environment (VE). The MARquette Visualization Lab (MARVL) is an example of a VE. Robust processes and workflows that allow for the creation of content for use within MARVL further increases the userbase for this valuable resource. A workflow was created to display biomedical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and complementary data in a wide range of VE’s. This allows a researcher to study the simulation in its natural three-dimensional (3D) morphology. In addition, it is an exciting way to extract more information from CFD results by taking advantage of improved depth cues, a larger display canvas, custom interactivity, and an immersive approach that surrounds the researcher. The CFD to VR workflow was designed to be basic enough for a novice user. It is also used as a tool to foster collaboration between engineers and clinicians. The workflow aimed to support results from common CFD software packages and across clinical research areas. ParaView, Blender and Unity were used in the workflow to take standard CFD files and process them for viewing in VR. Designated scripts were written to automate the steps implemented in each software package. The workflow was successfully completed across multiple biomedical vessels, scales and applications including: the aorta with application to congenital cardiovascular disease, the Circle of Willis with respect to cerebral aneurysms, and the airway for surgical treatment planning. The workflow was completed by novice users in approximately an hour. Bringing VR further into didactic teaching within academia allows students to be fully immersed in their respective subject matter, thereby increasing the students’ sense of presence, understanding and enthusiasm. MARVL is a space for collaborative learning that also offers an immersive, virtual experience. A workflow was created to view PowerPoint presentations in 3D using MARVL. A resulting Immersive PowerPoint workflow used PowerPoint, Unity and other open-source software packages to display the PowerPoint presentations in 3D. The Immersive PowerPoint workflow can be completed in under thirty minutes

Advanced Visualization and Intuitive User Interface Systems for Biomedical Applications

Modern scientific research produces data at rates that far outpace our ability to comprehend and analyze it. Such sources include medical imaging data and computer simulations, where technological advancements and spatiotemporal resolution generate increasing amounts of data from each scan or simulation. A bottleneck has developed whereby medical professionals and researchers are unable to fully use the advanced information available to them. By integrating computer science, computer graphics, artistic ability and medical expertise, scientific visualization of medical data has become a new field of study. The objective of this thesis is to develop two visualization systems that use advanced visualization, natural user interface technologies and the large amount of biomedical data available to produce results that are of clinical utility and overcome the data bottleneck that has developed. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a tool used to study the quantities associated with the movement of blood by computer simulation. We developed methods of processing spatiotemporal CFD data and displaying it in stereoscopic 3D with the ability to spatially navigate through the data. We used this method with two sets of display hardware: a full-scale visualization environment and a small-scale desktop system. The advanced display and data navigation abilities provide the user with the means to better understand the relationship between the vessel\u27s form and function. Low-cost 3D, depth-sensing cameras capture and process user body motion to recognize motions and gestures. Such devices allow users to use hand motions as an intuitive interface to computer applications. We developed algorithms to process and prepare the biomedical and scientific data for use with a custom control application. The application interprets user gestures as commands to a visualization tool and allows the user to control the visualization of multi-dimensional data. The intuitive interface allows the user to control the visualization of data without manual contact with an interaction device. In developing these methods and software tools we have leveraged recent trends in advanced visualization and intuitive interfaces in order to efficiently visualize biomedical data in such a way that provides meaningful information that can be used to further appreciate it

Clinical Application of Three-dimensional Printing and Extended Reality in Congenital Heart Disease

This PhD study investigates the clinical role of the two emerging techniques, which are 3D printing and virtual reality, to improve the visualisation and surgical planning of congenital heart disease. This research findings show that both of these technologies can enhance the users’ perception on the spatial relationship of the heart structures and defects, and therefore improving the management of congenital heart disease

Three-Dimensional Visualization Technology in the Medical Curriculum: Exploring Faculty Use in Preclinical, Clinical, and Postgraduate Anatomy Education

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Background: The advancement of three-dimensional visualization technology provides exciting new opportunities in medical education, including new methods for teaching complex anatomical relationships and promising tools for the training of postgraduate physicians. Information on how faculty use three-dimensional visualization technology for anatomy education is essential for informed discussions surrounding their effectiveness as a teaching tool and use in the medical curriculum, yet the current literature lacks necessary contextual details on how faculty integrate these technologies into actual medical curricula. Methods: Fifteen medical educators from North American medical schools and teaching hospitals completed semi-structured interviews and discussed how they use three-dimensional visualization technology for teaching in preclinical courses, clinical clerkships, and postgraduate programs. Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method and resulting themes were used to inform the creation of a questionnaire. Results: The resulting themes of analysis were organized according to a curricular framework that describes how faculty use these technologies as an instructional resource and how this use is related to the purposes, content, sequence, instructional processes and evaluation of medical curricula. The results demonstrate how three-dimensional visualization technology is being is implemented in a variety of ways in the curriculum and revealed numerous similarities of use across the levels of medical education. Analyses revealed minimal use of three-dimensional visualization technology for assessment and indicated faculty face significant challenges in designing such assessment. Conclusions: Results suggest continuing assessment of the effectiveness of these technologies as a teaching tool needs to encompass broader aspects of use, such as those described in this study. Additionally, results showing similarities of use across levels suggest that educators and administrators should consider how threedimensional visualization technology can be thoughtfully integrated to address the changing needs of learners as they progress through medical education. Findings also suggest that administrators who want to support the integration of three-dimensional visualization technology into the curriculum need to provide adequate support and training to help faculty overcome time limitations and difficulties designing assessment methods

XXII International Conference on Mechanics in Medicine and Biology - Abstracts Book

This book contain the abstracts presented the XXII ICMMB, held in Bologna in September 2022. The abstracts are divided following the sessions scheduled during the conference

Our journey to the cave – adventures by balloon

Publisher PD

Hospital Implementation and Acceptance of Minimally Invasive Autopsy

To boost the rate of postmortem investigation, we introduced a minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) procedure, consisting of an MRI- and a CT-scan, combined with CT-guided biopsies, as an alternative to conventional autopsy. In this thesis we discuss the diagnostic performance and acceptation of the MIA-procedure