The Interactive Image Tool: Adding Structure to Images. (original) (raw)

A multimedia Anatomy Browser incorporating a knowledge base and 3D images

Proceedings / the ... Annual Symposium on Computer Application [sic] in Medical Care. Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care, 1991

We describe a multimedia program for teaching anatomy. The program, called the Anatomy Browser, displays cross-sectional and topographical images, with outlines around structures and regions of interest. The user may point to these structures and retrieve text descriptions, view symbolic relationships between structures, or view spatial relationships by accessing 3-D graphics animations from videodiscs produced specifically for this program. The software also helps students exercise what they have learned by asking them to identify structures by name and location. The program is implemented in a client-server architecture, with the user interface residing on a Macintosh, while images, data, and a growing symbolic knowledge base of anatomy are stored on a fileserver. This architecture allows us to develop practical tutorial modules that are in current use, while at the same time developing the knowledge base that will lead to more intelligent tutorial systems.

Using computer-based interactive imagery strategies for designing instructional anatomy programs

Clinical Anatomy, 2005

In an effort to design and implement effective anatomy educational programs, this study was conducted to evaluate students' perceptions toward using two computer-based self-directed instructional modules (e.g., digestive system and canine skull) that were designed utilizing interactive imagery strategy for teaching and learning veterinary anatomy. Sixty-eight freshmen veterinary students and one graduate student participated in this study. Open-ended and close-ended questionnaires were administered to evaluate the utilization of computer-based interactive imagery strategy in developing anatomy instructional programs, and to collect data about the students' perceptions toward the use of interactive images in teaching and learning of anatomy. Means and standard deviations were calculated and analyzed for close-ended items. The open-ended questionnaire items were analyzed to identify shared patterns or themes in the students' experience after using the two instructional anatomy modules. Students reported positive attitudes toward the interactive imagery strategy used in the development of computer-based anatomy modules. Based on our findings, this study outlines the characteristics of effective instructional images that will serve as guidelines for the preparation and selection of anatomical images, as well as, how to utilize these images to develop computer-based instructional anatomy programs. Students perceived interactive imagery as an effective design strategy that helped them learn anatomical concepts. Clin.

A graphical user interface for a comparative anatomy information system

2006

Building on our previous design work in the development of the Structural Difference Method (SDM) for describing anatomical similarities and differences across species, we describe the design and implementation of the associated comparative anatomy information system (CAIS) interface and provide scenarios from the literature for its use by research scientists.

A new method for representing the human anatomy

Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, 1993

In current practice, anatomical atlases are based on a collection of planar images presented in a book or, recently, stored on dllitai medii. We present a new method for generating interactive true three-dimensional (3D) anatomlcnl atlases based on a volume model derived from MRI and CT. The model has a two layer structure. The lower level is a volume model with a set of semantic attributes connected to each voxel. The semantic attributes are assigned by an anatomist using a volume editor. The upper level is a set of relatlons between these attributes. Interactive visualization tools such as multiple surface display, transparent renderin& and cutting are provided. It is shown that the combination of this data structure with advanced volume visualization tools provides the "look and feel" of real dissection. First tests show that the atlas system cannot only be used successfully for anatomy teaching, but also as a reference for radiologlsts or surgeons. As a replacement of classical atlases, however, the spatial resolution has still to be improved. burg. He is working on medical image processing and computer graphics. His special research interests include knowledge representation for medical applications and simulation for surgical therapy planning. Dr. Schubert studied medicine at the Universities of Ltlbeck and Hamburg and received his M.D. in 1992.

AnatomyBrowser: A novel approach to visualization and integration of medical information

Computer Aided Surgery, 1999

In this article, we present a novel technique for visualization of three-dimensional (3D) surface models, as well as its implementation in a system called AnatomyBrowser. Using our approach, visualization of 3D surface models is performed in two separate steps: a pre-rendering step, in which the models are rendered and saved in a special format, and an actual display step, in which the final result of rendering is generated using information from the prerendering step. Whereas prerendering requires high-end graphics hardware, the h a l image generation and display can be implemented efficiently in software. Moreover, our current implementation of Anatomy-Browser interface uses the Java programming language and can therefore be readily run on a wide range of systems, including low-end computers with no special graphics hardware. In addition to visualization of 3D models and 2D slices, AnatomyBrowser provides a rich set of annotation and cross-referencing capabilities. We demonstrate several possible applications for AnatomyBrowser, including interactive anatomy atlases, surgery planning, and assistance in segmentation. Comp Aid Surg 4:129-143 (1999). 01999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The digital anatomist structural abstraction: a scheme for the spatial description of anatomical entities

Proceedings / AMIA ... Annual Symposium. AMIA Symposium, 1998

In this paper, we propose a generalized scheme for the symbolic description of the spatial attributes of anatomical entities. The power of the scheme lies in the ability to model the spatial objects at the highest level of granularity: information can be obtained at the desired level of detail needed for a given application. This scheme uses the topological classes of point, line, surface, and volume to represent zero-D, one-D, two-D and three-D objects. A spatial object participates as a node in three complementary networks; the topology network, the part-of network, and the spatial associations network. The topology network describes a spatial object in terms of its boundaries, the part-of network describes a spatial object in terms of its parts, and the spatial associations network describes the spatial object in terms of its relationships to other spatial objects. All three of the networks can be used in combination or alone to answer queries to the spatial information system. T...

An interactive program to conceptualize the anatomy of the internal brainstem in 3D

Studies in health technology and informatics, 2013

Neuroanatomy is a complex sub-discipline of anatomy requiring abstract visualization and strong spatial reasoning. Traditional methods of learning neuroanatomy include investigation using dissection, light microscopy and histology. Often, this pedagogical approach requires students to formulate three-dimensional (3D) mental images from sequential two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections, which can be difficult for many students to conceptualize. The goal of this study is to develop an interactive 3D learning tool of the internal brainstem anatomy and assess its efficacy on student learning against the classical methods of learning neuroanatomy. Results reveal that students the amount of learning was equal between both experimental groups. Qualitative results show that students enjoyed interactive learning and warmly welcomed the 3D program. Future neuroanatomy laboratories may include a 3D component to aid in student conceptualization of internal brainstem anatomy.

Visual Representation for Knowledge Representation: Graphics Libraries to Support Anatomy Terminologies and Ontologies

2019

Visual representations are crucial for communicating biomedical knowledge, particularly in the domain of anatomy. Methods for integrating standardized visual representations into knowledge representation schemes are largely unexplored, leaving users dependent upon textual descriptions or ad-hoc visuals. In this work we introduce SVG-based graphics libraries as a tool for standardizing visual representations of biomedical knowledge. We first present design requirements for graphics libraries and a scheme for implementing web-accessible libraries. Finally, we introduce a prototype application for managing and sharing a graphics library. This work uses a library for orofacial anatomy as a test case, but is applicable to any domain of biomedical knowledge that can benefit from visual representation.