Presentation Title:

 

Using Virtual 3D Reality for Teaching in cardiac surgery

 

P. Engels, M. Preisack, M. Schefer, O. Goedje, R. Friedl, A. Hannekum

Heart Surgery, University of Ulm

 

Abstract:

Computer Simulations,like 3D Animations,have gained increasing importance in medcine and especially in cardiac surgery. Difficult operative techniques can be easily demonstrated using the virtual 3D reality. Furthermore it is possible to perform new techniques in cardiac surgery for newsgroups via the internet.

 

Methods:

We create virtual scenes of operative situations in 3D virtual reality. Therefore we use different 3D and 2D graphic programs. In the beginning we discussed and analysed operative sequences to find out what is really important. Digital videos and digital photos of coronary bypass surgery helped us to create our virtual scenes. An Informix universal database is used as a multimedia repository. This database contains media data of: digital video, digital photo, VRML-models of cardiac anatomy and virtual 3D reality.

 

Results:

The Informix universal database allows to use and re-use mediadatas. This means that the user is able to interact with the system. At the moment the system contains virtual scenes of aortocoronary bypass grafting. There is also a VRML-model of the heart integrated in the system.

There are several benefits of virtual reality:

·         Interactive System

·         Different virtual viewpoints

·         Explanation of complex situations

·         Demonstration of "How to do"

·         Learning by viewing

 

Conclusions:

Virtual reality in cardiac surgery is able to teach very complex and difficult proceedings in cardiac surgery. Virtual reality helps to understand difficult operations.

Complete cardiac operations can be presented as interactive virtual scenes in the next future.

Today our system support a flexible composition, re-use and presentation of multimedia data in an economic manner. The system is able to perform cardiac surgery techniques at the state of the art at any time and any location.

 

Benefit in Attending Session:

We demonstrate the benefits of virtual scenes in cardiac surgery using virtual reality techniques like 3D computer animations.

 

PRIMARY AUTHOR'S INFORMATION

Dr. Peter Engels

Heartsurgery University of Ulm

Steinh velstr. 9

D-89073 Ulm

Telephone Number: +497315021539

Fax Number: +497315027319

E-mail Address: peter.engels@medizin.uni-ulm.de

 

CO-AUTHORS' INFORMATION

Dr. M. Preisack

Steinh velStr.9

D-89073 Ulm

Telephone Number(s): +497315021539

Fax Number(s): +497315027319

E-mail Address(es): melitta.preisack@medizin.uni-ulm.de