An optimized web-based approach for collaborative stereoscopic medical visualization (original) (raw)

Server-based Approach to Web Visualization of Integrated 3-D Medical Image Data

Proceedings Amia Annual Symposium Amia Symposium, 2001

Although computer processing power and network bandwidth are rapidly increasing, the average desktop is still not able to rapidly process large datasets such as 3-D medical image volumes. We have therefore developed a server side approach to this problem, in which a high performance graphics server accepts commands from web clients to load, process and render 3-D image volumes and models. The renderings are saved as 2-D snapshots on the server, where they are uploaded and displayed on the client. User interactions with the graphic interface on the client side are translated into additional commands to manipulate the 3-D scene, after which the server re-renders the scene and sends a new image to the client. Example forms-based and Javabased clients are described for a brain mapping application, but the techniques should be applicable to multiple domains where 3-D medical image visualization is of interest.

A web-based virtual reality environment for medical visualization

2018 41st International Convention on Information and Communication Technology, Electronics and Microelectronics (MIPRO), 2018

In this paper, we present a novel approach to integrating virtual reality (VR) into a web-based medical visualization framework. The framework supports visualization of volumetric data, such as 3D scalar fields acquired by a CT, MRI or PET scanners. To improve users' perception, understanding and manipulation of 3D volumes, we adapted the traditional 2D screen representation with support for visualization of data in a VR environment. By providing complete visual immersion, VR can help users to gain better insights and understanding of the visualized data. Our main goal was to allow users to view the medical data in VR and interact with it with hand-held controllers for better immersion and spatial perception. In the paper, we present a novel approach to implementation of VR for medical imaging, which combines WebGL-based hardware accelerated web visualization with VR. This allows users to use the visualization framework with or without a VR headset by switching between "standard" and "VR" modes. Since visualization runs in a web browser, it is portable, easy to use on different devices and therefore accessible to a broad number of users. The visualization system was tested with real medical scans to assess its performance and usability.

High performance 3D visualization on the Web: a biomedical case study

2013

There are many desktop-based applications that oer a so- lution for biomedical problems. Usually, one of the most important task of these biomedical applications is the 3D graphics visualization. In last years, the development of web-based applications has taken a great im- portance and are defeating desktop-based applications, mainly, because the benets this class of software has. However, until recent times, web developers were not able to directly run high performance graphics na- tively on a web context. But nowadays, the appearance of the Khronos WebGL standard make that limitation possible. This work summarizes the WebGL capabilities and presents a successful experience related to the inclusion of high performance graphics on the web. This is done by developing an interactive visualization of voxelized 3D models with the aim of analysing magnetic resonance images of the brain.

VICOT: Virtual Collaboration Tool To Render Images on the Web

Data visualization helps to show the information interactively, being easy for users the interpretation of relevant topics. A huge increase has been noticed in Medicine where images represent a keystone in diagnosis. Also, in presence of 3D data, it may requires a high-end device to manipulate and control them. In this paper, we present Vicot, a remarkable web tool to render 2D/3D images in a collaborative environment over a simple network configuration. It main goal is rendering medical images and volumes, allowing users the easy and transparent manipulation of data using a non-presential communication between pairs. Vicot is developed under a model-view-control architecture, acquiring data from a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) repository with a friendly web interface. Images are displayed in high-quality resolution; volumes are rendered using a GPU Ray Tracing approach. Final output is shown in a HTML5-based web browser under any standard low-end device. Our proposal is ideal to teach and discuss medical cases. Tests performed on each stage of Vicot allows to obtain suitable limits to maximize its performance. Also, using an input/output web interface allows the independence of operative system, spreading its scope to different devices such as PCs, tablets, and smart phones

Web visualization of 3D medical data with open source software

2012

Every day more applications migrate from off-line systems to web applications available worldwide. Many of these applications require displaying 3D data and allowing user interaction with them. Websockets provides the basis to develop these applications over the web, to run on any platform. This paper proposes four software architectures for developing web applications for 3D data visualization based on current open source websockets technology. One of these architectures is implemented and described in detail. Test and results for 3D meshes and volumes are presented and discussed. The system can be used to display medical datasets and medical models on real-time over the web, potentially contributing to the Telemedicine area

WWW creates new interactive 3D graphics and colIaborative environments for medical research and education

International Journal of Medical Informatics, 1997

Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) is the start of a new era for medicine and the World Wide Web (WWW). Scientists can use VRML across the Internet to explore new three-dimensional (3D) worlds, share concepts and collaborate together in a virtual environment. VRML enables the generation of virtual environments through the use of geometric, spatial and colour data structures to represent 3D objects and scenes. In medicine, researchers often want to interact with scientific data, which in several instances may also be dynamic (e.g. MRI data). This data is often very large and is difficult to visualise. A 3D graphical representation can make the information contained in such large data sets more understandable and easier to interpret. Fast networks and satellites can reliably transfer large data sets from computer to computer. This has led to the adoption of remote tale-working in many applications including medical applications. Radiology experts, for example, can view and inspect in near real-time a 3D data set acquired from a patient who is in another part of the world. Such technology is destined to improve the quality of life for many people. This paper introduces VRML (including some technical details) and discusses the advantages of VRML in application developing. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Server-based Approach to Web Visualization of Integrated Three-dimensional Brain Imaging Data

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2004

Although computer processing power and network bandwidth are rapidly increasing, the average desktop is still not able to rapidly process large datasets such as 3-D medical image volumes. We have therefore developed a server side approach to this problem, in which a high performance graphics server accepts commands from web clients to load, process and render 3-D image volumes and models. The renderings are saved as 2-D snapshots on the server, where they are uploaded and displayed on the client. User interactions with the graphic interface on the client side are translated into additional commands to manipulate the 3-D scene, after which the server re-renders the scene and sends a new image to the client. Example forms-based and Javabased clients are described for a brain mapping application, but the techniques should be applicable to multiple domains where 3-D medical image visualization is ofinterest.

The Usability Evaluation of Web-Based 3D Medical Image Visualization

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2011

3D visualization in virtual space simultaneously provides depth information with 2D information visualization ability. Since, web-based e-learning system has become popular alternative framework for improving learning performance and increasing convenience and flexibility to learners. Integrating a 3D medical image visualization into e-learning system aims to accomplish the needs of biomedical engineering education where learners can navigate, browsing, and interact with 3D models of reconstructed medical images. In this paper, we present the usability evaluation results of our web-based 3D medical image visualization comparing with conventional 2D visualization for web-based learning. The experimental results show that 3D visualization method improves learners' education performance with tasks involving 2D information.

Web-based 3D medical image visualization framework for biomedical engineering education

2012

Medical imaging is one of the major fields in the multidisciplinary curriculum of biomedical engineering (BME). Biomedical engineers from different backgrounds need to understand biology in order to be able to develop effective equipment to improve healthcare diagnosis through medical images. Visualization tools are important in the learning process to improve biomedical engineer's understanding of medical imagery. In this work, we design a web-based 3D medical image visualization framework that can be used to improve medical image understanding in biology and anatomy. Our proposed framework provides not only 3D visualization, but also 3D reconstruction for medical images. This paper describes the design framework and the technology integration, as well as the implementation details. The developed system has been used as an educational tool prototype in a BME department. In order to evaluate the tool's usability, we tested it with BME students as well as doctors. We compared a conventional 2D visualization application and our proposed method with regard to system efficiency and user satisfaction. The 3D system generally demonstrated better performance and a higher level of satisfaction. The students were able to use our 3D tool to study 2D images effectively without prior background knowledge in anatomy.