Display is aimed at the visualization of heart anatomy, as well as potential distribution. We have developed a software called HEART, as Heart Electrical Activity Representation Tool. This software has been developed on a Silicon Graphics Indigo workstation; it permits the simulation management and the visualization of cardiac anatomy and simulation results. We chosen the Silicon Graphics ambient to develop the software because this ambient have the highest number of polygons rendered per second, the best monitor fidelity and the best spatial and chromatic monitor resolution.

Simulation Management

Simulation Management provides several window interface for the assignment of input simulation parameters, for starting the simulation process and for the archives of simulation results (save, open, remove). Difference between two archived simulation is also possible.

Visualization of Cardiac Anatomy and Simulation Results

Nodes are grouped in slices, each single slice correspond to a VHD heart image. We visualize a subset of these slices than can describe cardiac anatomy, as well as potential distribution. Heart volume is located in a 3D scenario, of which a projection in a plane, from an arbitrary point of view, is observable. Comprehension of the propagation need to observe the entire external surface of the heart volume and the internal structure. We propose also other visualization modalities, called "Decumulated-View" and "Temporal-View".

External Surface:

The external surface is visualized positioning an arbitrary point of view within the 3D scenario and also rotating heart volume, fixed the point of view. Zoom is possible positioning the point of view near to the volume, and also changing the scale factor of heart volume. Click to see a first example of cardiac anatomy and a second example of cardiac anatomy.

Click to see an example of potential distribution and here to see another example of potential distribution.

Internal Structure:

The internal structure is observable applying a cut plane to the volume; the cut plane can assume an arbitrary position within the 3D scenario. Click to see an example of a cut plane effect.

Decumulated-View:

The "Decumulated-view" is a spatial series of images, that report, at a fixed time instant t=t_i potential distribution in different layers. These layers are built starting from the layer "From-To", removing step by step a slice, in order to reach the layer "To-To".

Click to see an example of "Decumulated View".

Temporal-View:

The temporal view is a temporal series of images that describe potential distribution in a fixed layer: (From-i)-To.

Click to see a first example of Temporal View, a second example of "Temporal View" and a third example of "Temporal View".

We obtained an adequate representation of heart anatomy and potential distribution on a SGI monitor; on other monitor (example PC monitors, SUN monitors) images lose quality in color-depth and also in spatial resolution. Printed images also lose quality in color-depth and also spatial resolution.