New and Innovative Uses of Visible Human Images and Beyond

Thomas McCracken Vice-President for Production and R&D, Visible Productions tomsbgraph@aol.com Charles Kuntz, Dr. Assistant Professor of Surgery Veterinary School, Colorado State University, USA Dan Steward Chief Programmer, Visible Productions Peter Young, Dr. Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Colorado State University, USA Charles Anderson, Dr. Professor, Computer Science Department, Colorado State University, USA

Abstract
We present a demonstration of our new "Complete software system for 3D surface modeling of anatomy from 2D sections". This semi-automated system can handle many types of 2D data input from cryosections like the Visible Human data to electron microscopy and confocal optical sections. This software has allowed us to better deal with some of the problems encountered in the Visible Human data sets such as bad registration, missing data and anatomical problems. We have completed modeling the entire male and female and we use this "library" as a data source for our other work in 3D interactive education.

We have produced an eclectic series of interactive CD’s for all levels of education (6-12, college, post-graduate, professional and patient). 3D content in our CD’s is supplied as QuickTime VR objects and panoramas. Displaying applications are written in Java in order to provide platform independence and network compatibility.

We will also present 2D data and models of the dog (Beagle cut at 250 microns, 2,200 sections, MRI 2mm, 225 sections, CT, 1mm 550 sections), produced through collaboration with Dr. Victor Spitzer and the University of Colorado Health Science Center. Some different techniques for preparation and cutting were used following insights gained by Dr. Spitzer through his experience with cutting the Visible Human data. The results will be presented and quantified.

Another area we are exploring is the development of the incorporation of multi-sensory and haptic interface systems with our models. We will present progress to date on our multi-sensory simulation f temporal bone surgery using a temporal bone model cut at 7- microns to create the detail required for the accuracy of this procedure.

Keywords: 3D surface modeling, learning, education.

Acknoledgements
This work was supported by grants form: The Naional Science Foundation, Colorado Advanced Software Institute, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Health Scineces Center, Visible Productions, LLC.

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