Min-Suk Chung

Segmentation and surface reconstruction of a cadaver heart on Mimics software

The Visible Korean research team used Mimics software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) for the segmentation and subsequent surface reconstruction of heart structures using information obtained from sectioned images of a cadaver. Twenty-six heart components were outlined in advance on Photoshop (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA, USA). By use of the Mimics, the outlined images were then browsed along with the vertical planes as well as the 3-dimensional surface models, which were immediately built by piling the images. Erroneous delineation was readily detected and revised until satisfactory heart models were acquired. The surface models and the selected sectioned images in horizontal, coronal, and sagittal planes were inputted into a PDF file, where any combinations of reconstructed constituents could be displayed and rotated by the user. Mimics software accelerated the segmentation and surface reconstruction of heart anatomical structures. Similar benefits hopefully result from various serial images of other organs. The PDF file, and plane and stereoscopic image data are being distributed to others, and should prove valuable for medical students and clinicians.

Accessible and informative sectioned images and surface models of the maxillofacial area for orthognathic surgery.

BACKGROUNDnThe aim of this study was to describe sectioned images and stereoscopic anatomic models of the maxillofacial area by using Visible Korean which are beneficial for medical education and clinical training in the field of orthognathic surgery.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnSerially sectioned images of the maxillofacial area of a cadaver were created. Significant structures in the sectioned images were outlined and stacked to build surface models.nnnRESULTSnBrowsing software (95.1 MB) and portable document format (PDF) file (142 MB) that were constructed are freely downloadable from our website (http://anatomy.co.kr). In the browsing software, the names of structures associated with malocclusion and orthognathic surgery could be viewed on the sectioned images. In the PDF file, surface models and stereoscopic maxillofacial structures were displayed in real-time.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe state-of-the-art sectioned images, outlined images, and surface models that were arranged and systematised in this study, may help students and trainees investigate the anatomy of the maxillofacial area for orthognathic surgery.

Digital anatomy using the surface models in portable document format file for self-learning and evaluation

Background and Objectives: This study examined the learning effect of surface models made from the sectioned images of a male cadaver. Materials and Methods: The first author guided 46 medical students to study with a portable document format (PDF) file containing hundreds of surface models of a whole body. Their level of anatomy knowledge gained was evaluated by a digital examination on the tablet computers using the captured movies of PDF file. Results: The medical students grades on the surface models were positively correlated with those on the remainder of the anatomy quiz. More than half of the students reported that the PDF file was helpful in anatomy learning and cadaver dissection. Conclusions: Digital anatomy learning is under continuous development in many ways. This report shows that surface models of the human body can be effective for self-learning and in the evaluation of anatomy knowledge.

Browsing Software of the Head Sectioned Images for the Android Mobile Device

The purpose of this research was to enable anyone to learn the sectional anatomy of the head anywhere, anytime by presenting software to browse sectioned images on a Google Android mobile device. Among the 2,343 sectioned images at 0.1 mm intervals, 234 sectioned images at 1 mm intervals were chosen. The corresponding 234 segmented images containing 236 head struc tures were selected. The software of the mobile version was programmed and debugged in the Java programming language. The folders of t sectioned images and segmented images and the txt file of the segmentation data were arranged in the source code of the softwar e. T software was distributed free of charge at the homepage (neuroanatomy.kr) and Google Play Store. After installing the software, the sectioned images and corresponding segmented images could be browsed by touching and swiping the screen. In the medical categor y of the Google Play Store, the software earned a good reputation. The software of the Android mobile version was usable regardless of the time and place. The software is under the authors’ non-commercial policy. Other investigators may modify the mobile software to browse their own images. The mobile version of the software will aid medical students and doctors in learning sectional anatomy .