CHS

This is a low resoluion demonstration of the type of surgical simulation being developed. Using a force reflecting device, known as the PHANToM haptic interface from SensAble Devices, Inc.,students will be able to simulate surgery using the Visible Human data set.

As the scapel moves along the knee, the computer model displays the correct incision. The scalpel cuts through the skin and underlying tissue, allowing the fat, muscles, and blood vessels to be revealed.

This same demonstration can be downloaded in a lower resolution MPEG file format. Some resolution was sacrificed to keep the file size down to approx. 1.5 MB. The original full resolution MPEG is also available, but be warned, this file could take quite awhile to download, as the file size is approx. 6.0 MB.

Practical applications for the Visible Human database are being discovered almost daily. At the present time, surgical simulators are showing the greatest promise. Just as simulators have become a standard in the fields of aviation and aerospace, surgical simulators will be a standard in the field of medicine. They will teach correct procedures to physicians in training, before they ever have to cut on a live patient. And practicing surgeons will also find these tools useful for honing skills they already possess and for developing new techniques. At the Center for Human Simulation, we have the tools to build these simulators, but require time and funding to develop these projects to their fullest potential.

Additional applications for the anatomical database include simulating pathological conditions, such as tumors and degenerative diseases, to provide researchers with a greater insight into the diseases they are investigating. Physicians might also be able to use this tool to explain a patient's condition and possible treatment options in greater detail, hopefully, giving patients a better understanding of their problem. Other possible ideas for the database involve simulators for trauma management, biomechanic motion, disease models, localized stereotactic treatment, and radiological imaging.

The Visible Human Dataset provides a complete submillimeter anatomical visual description. The Center for Human Simulation has demonstrated the ability to simulate surgically cutting into the database in real time on existing graphics hardware. The algorithms being developed here are the underlying foundation for flexible, highly realistic surgical simulators based on real anatomy and physiology.