Juan Antonio Juanes Méndez

3D interactive model of lumbar spinal structures of anesthetic interest

A 3D model of lumbar structures of anesthetic interest was reconstructed from human magnetic resonance (MR) images and embedded in a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, which can be opened by freely available software and used offline. The MR images were analyzed using a specific 3D software platform for biomedical data. Models generated from manually delimited volumes of interest and selected MR images were exported to Virtual Reality Modeling Language format and were presented in a PDF document containing JavaScript‐based functions. The 3D file and the corresponding instructions and license files can be downloaded freely at http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/handle/2445/44844?locale=en. The 3D PDF interactive file includes reconstructions of the L3–L5 vertebrae, intervertebral disks, ligaments, epidural and foraminal fat, dural sac and nerve root cuffs, sensory and motor nerve roots of the cauda equina, and anesthetic approaches (epidural medial, spinal paramedial, and selective nerve root paths); it also includes a predefined sequential educational presentation. Zoom, 360° rotation, selective visualization, and transparency graduation of each structure and clipping functions are available. Familiarization requires no specialized informatics knowledge. The ease with which the document can be used could make it valuable for anatomical and anesthetic teaching and demonstration of patient information. Clin. Anat. 28:205–212, 2015.

Enhancing neuroanatomy education using computer-based instructional material

The understanding of spatial relationships between brain structures taken from conventional sectional images is a major problem in learning anatomy. However, scientific literature has suggested that higher visuospatial abilities and computer-based instructional 3D visualizations may facilitate learning anatomy. This paper aims (1) to develop a computer-based tool to explore neuroanatomy based on three-dimensional images and (2) to compare whether the educational value assigned by students varies according to their visuospatial ability. An anatomical and functional viewer was developed with Positron Emission Tomography images to visualize three-dimensional models of real brain structures. Students assigned a high educational value to this tool, regardless of their visuospatial skills. The discussion section analyzes the implications of this technique in neuroanatomy training.

Analysis of certificated mobile application for medical education purposes

Background. The evolution and the growth of mobile application in our society is a reality. This evolution has been spread in the Medical Schools as well, being part of the self-learning of the students and a tool for medical teachers. However, there is a lot of unawareness of the use of mobile applications, as the medical professionals do not know the most suitable applications for their educational purposes. The aim of this research is to analyze, design and implement a quality protocol that can be validated with different mobile applications already developed. The methodology was based on two phases. The first one included a Technological Acceptance model (TAM) survey and the second one is based on a practical implementation of the quality protocol. The first results of the research are presented in this study. The participants of the first approach were 124 and these results reveal the attitude toward the new technologies by medical professionals and undergraduate students and the necessity of a certification for mobile application in the medical education. Conclusions. The mobile applications are a potential tool to use in Medical Schools. The medical professionals are open-minded to introduce them in their curriculum. However, they have to be provided with the needed resources and a certification of mobile applications that allows them to trust on them.

First approach of mobile applications study for medical education purposes

Nowadays, there are an increasing number of mobile lines in the world. This new trend has modified the society and the way that we perform the different daily tasks. Most part of the industries has introduced the mobile devices in its performance. But not only that, it has encouraged the development of mobile applications. Even in the health industry, there is a mobile app for almost everything. However, this rapid growth has been produced much disorganized. This is precisely the aim of this research as part of the PhD Programme. This paper presents the research performed under the PhD Programme with a brief overview of the main structure of this research. It describes the main hypothesis considered at the beginning of the investigation plan. Besides, it illustrates the main objectives, the population, the first participants and the variables that we considered in this project.

A systematic review of using mobile devices in medical education

There are many research studies carried out about the use of mobile devices in our society. Mobile devices offer great opportunities in different aspects of our daily routine as it enables people to be connected at any time. The increasing number of mobile devices and their use confirm that the new technologies are part of our lives. Not only that, medical professionals are starting to be involved actively in the use of mobile devices. This paper describes how students and medical professionals use mobile devices from an educational perspective and it investigates the roles of their involvement. To achieve this goal, we performed a cross-sectional survey involving undergraduate medical students of University of Salamanca and medical professionals. The results confirm that the new technologies are becoming part of our lives and medical professionals are starting to be part of this upward trend.

New Generation of Three-Dimensional Tools to Learn Anatomy

We present a new generation tool based of interactive 3D models. This models are based on the radiological two-dimensional images by computed tomography imaging. Our article focuses on the anatomical region of the skull base. These new three-dimensional models offer a wide field of application in the learning, as they offer multiple visualization tools (rotation, scrolling, zoom…). In this way, understanding of the anatomical region is facilitated. A feature to be dismissed is that a professional workstation is not required to work with three-dimensional models, since a personal computer can be viewed and interacted with the models. Educational and clinical applications are also discussed.We present a new generation tool based of interactive 3D models. This models are based on the radiological two-dimensional images by computed tomography imaging. Our article focuses on the anatomical region of the skull base. These new three-dimensional models offer a wide field of application in the learning, as they offer multiple visualization tools (rotation, scrolling, zoom…). In this way, understanding of the anatomical region is facilitated. A feature to be dismissed is that a professional workstation is not required to work with three-dimensional models, since a personal computer can be viewed and interacted with the models. Educational and clinical applications are also discussed.

Interactive 3D-PDF Presentations for the Simulation and Quantification of Extended Endoscopic Endonasal Surgical Approaches

A three-dimensional (3D) model of the skull base was reconstructed from the pre- and post-dissection head CT images and embedded in a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, which can be opened by freely available software and used offline. The CT images were segmented using a specific 3D software platform for biomedical data, and the resulting 3D geometrical models of anatomical structures were used for dual purpose: to simulate the extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches and to perform the quantitative analysis of the procedures. The analysis consisted of bone removal quantification and the calculation of quantitative parameters (surgical freedom and exposure area) of each procedure. The results are presented in three PDF documents containing JavaScript-based functions. The 3D-PDF files include reconstructions of the nasal structures (nasal septum, vomer, middle turbinates), the bony structures of the anterior skull base and maxillofacial region and partial reconstructions of the optic nerve, the hypoglossal and vidian canals and the internal carotid arteries. Alongside the anatomical model, axial, sagittal and coronal CT images are shown. Interactive 3D presentations were created to explain the surgery and the associated quantification methods step-by-step. The resulting 3D-PDF files allow the user to interact with the model through easily available software, free of charge and in an intuitive manner. The files are available for offline use on a personal computer and no previous specialized knowledge in informatics is required. The documents can be downloaded at http://hdl.handle.net/2445/55224.

Virtual Reality Educational Tool for Human Anatomy

Virtual Reality is becoming widespread in our society within very different areas, from industry to entertainment. It has many advantages in education as well, since it allows visualizing almost any object or going anywhere in a unique way. We will be focusing on medical education, and more specifically anatomy, where its use is especially interesting because it allows studying any structure of the human body by placing the user inside each one. By allowing virtual immersion in a body structure such as the interior of the cranium, stereoscopic vision goggles make these innovative teaching technologies a powerful tool for training in all areas of health sciences. The aim of this study is to illustrate the teaching potential of applying Virtual Reality in the field of human anatomy, where it can be used as a tool for education in medicine. A Virtual Reality Software was developed as an educational tool. This technological procedure is based entirely on software which will run in stereoscopic goggles to give users the sensation of being in a virtual environment, clearly showing the different bones and foramina which make up the cranium, and accompanied by audio explanations. Throughout the results the structure of the cranium is described in detailed from both inside and out. Importance of an exhaustive morphological knowledge of cranial fossae is further discussed. Application for the design of microsurgery is also commented.

Virtual reality medical training system

Virtual Reality techniques allow us to enter anatomical structure visualisation environments which facilitate medical training. By allowing virtual immersion in a body structure such as the interior of the cranium, stereoscopic vision goggles make these innovative teaching technologies a powerful tool for training in all areas of health sciences, in particular in the sphere of medicine. This work shows the teaching potential of applying Virtual Reality in studies of the human anatomy, where it can be used as a tool for education in medicine. The system we present, developed by the company AR Soft and the research group VisualMed Systems, allows us to enter the cranium through virtual immersion, anatomically analysing each of its component bone structures and visualising the cranium from both inside and out. Exhaustive morphological knowledge of cranial fossae is hugely important, given the increasing use of microsurgery techniques which require suitable knowledge of the detailed morphology of this anatomical structure. Our technological procedure is based entirely on software which will run in stereoscopic goggles to give users the sensation of being in a virtual environment, clearly showing the different bones and foramina which make up the cranium, and accompanied by audio explanations. This procedure allows users to carry out self-assessment, meaning it is also an outstanding training tool.

3D PDF technology combined with JavaScript functions enables the creation and visualization of interactive 3D presentations

We present innovative tools for the visualization and creation of interactive 3D PDF presentations containing anatomical models. In this study we used a 3D embryonic craniofacial model reconstructed from 2D microscopic section images and imported it into an interactive PDF document, where it is managed by a set of JavaScript-based functions. Our documents serve two purposes: firstly, they enable a user to explore a 3D model, in a user-friendly and intuitive way examining anatomical structures, and secondly, they offer the possibility of creating a custom collection of slides containing model views and explanatory anatomical descriptions, later used in the form of a teaching presentation.