Demonstration

Web based 3D: the Potential of Different Techniques for Medical Education

Dr Torben Kling-Petersen
Mednet, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract:

Academic and medical imaging are increasingly using computer based 3D reconstruction and/or visualization. Three-dimensional interactive models play a major role in areas such as preclinical medical education, clinical visualization and medical research. While 3D reconstruction and interactive three-dimensional visualization is comparably easy to do on a high end graphics workstation, the need to distribute and use interactive 3D graphics necessitate the use of personal computers and especially the web. Over the last couple of years, several new techniques have been demonstrated providing interactive 3D via a web browser thereby allowing a limited version of virtual reality to be experienced by a larger majority of students, medical practitioners and researchers. These techniques include QuickTimeVR2 (QTVR), VRML2, QuickDraw3D, OpenGL and Java3D.

However, all of the available techniques have their respective advantages and drawbacks. In order to test the usability of the different techniques, the medical faculty computer laboratory (Mednet) in Goteborg, have initiated a number of projects designed to evaluate the potentials of 3D techniques for scientific reporting, clinical visualization and medical education.

Benefit in Attending Session:

Biomedical 3D models are becomming increasingly importent. However, the development and pressing of CD-ROMs are expensive and timeconsuming. Web based 3D offers the benefit of faster production and different approach to visualization and information retrival.

Dr Torben Kling-Petersen
Mednet
P. O. Box 417
405 30 Goteborg
SWEDEN
 
+46-31-773 37 48
Fax Number:
+46-31- 773 37 5
kling@mednet.gu.se
http://www.mice.gu.se