Dear Advanced Visualization Insider,
Would you like to visualize 3D models based on patient imaging data directly on your smartphone? In a new article, researchers from Spain present a fully detailed method for clinicians to be able to create and view patient-specific 3D anatomical models all on their own using a combination of augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing technology.
Radiologists from Poland have already been hard at work integrating AR and 3D printing into the clinical workflow. They highlighted the distinct benefits of both of the emerging technologies for the management of cardiac conditions in an educational session at RSNA 2019.
In collaboration with U.S. physicians, the same Polish group explored the potential benefits of using 3D-printed liver models during presurgical planning for liver resection. The 3D-printed models helped the surgical team establish the ideal plan for major and complex resections, the investigators found.
Researchers have also extended the utility of 3D-printed models based on CT scans to applications beyond the clinical setting in recent years. A team of archaeologists, medical physicists, and engineers from the U.K. and Germany showed how the imaging technology allowed them to recreate the voice of an ancient Egyptian whose mummified remains were discovered hundreds of years ago.
In other news, it appears that virtual reality (VR) may be on the path to widespread implementation throughout the French healthcare system. The French Society of Radiology (SFR) gave its annual award in innovative medical imaging to a VR startup company that offers VR to calm anxious patients preparing to undergo medical procedures.
The Advanced Visualization Community is home to numerous other news and stories in the field. Head over to AuntMinnieEurope.com to get all the latest. And, as always, feel free to contact me to discuss any topics you'd like to see covered in the coming days.
