3D Virtual Models Research Articles

AUTHOR REPLY

We read with interest the comments by Corse and colleagues on our recently published paper about the use of indocyanine green (ICG) enabling the overlap of the 3D virtual kidney model over the real organ during surgery. The Authors present insightful comments on the new presented technology.

A 3D SEGMENTS BASED ALGORITHM FOR HETEROGENEOUS DATA REGISTRATION

Abstract. Combining image and LiDAR draws increasing interest in surface reconstruction, city and building modeling for constructing 3D virtual reality models because of their complementary nature. However, to gain from this complementarity, these data sources must be precisely registered. In this paper, we propose a new primitive based registration algorithm that takes 3D segments as features. The objective of the proposed algorithm is to register heterogeneous data. The heterogeneity is both in data type (image and LiDAR) and acquisition platform (terrestrial and aerial). Our algorithm starts by extracting 3D segments from LiDAR and image data with state of the art algorithms. Then it clusters the 3D segments of each data according to their directions. The obtained clusters are associated to find possible rotations, then 3D segments from associated clusters are matched in order to find the translation and scale factor minimizing a distance criteria between the two sets of 3D segments. Two optimizers (simulated annealing and RANSAC) are tested to minimize this distance criterion, first on synthetic data, then on real data. The experiments carried out demonstrate the robustness and speed of RANSAC compared to simulated annealing.

Contralateral vs. Ipsilateral Approach to Superior Hypophyseal Artery Aneurysms: An Anatomical Study and Morphometric Analysis.

IntroductionSurgical clipping of superior hypophyseal artery (SHA) aneurysms is a challenging task for neurosurgeons due to their close anatomical relationships. The development of endovascular techniques and the difficulty in surgery have led to a decrease in the number of surgical procedures and thus the experience of neurosurgeons in this region. In this study, we aimed to reveal the microsurgical anatomy of the ipsilateral and contralateral approaches to SHA aneurysms and define their limitations via morphometric analyses of radiological anatomy, three-dimensional (3D) modeling, and surgical illustrations.MethodFive fixed and injected cadaver heads underwent dissections. In order to make morphometric measurements, 75 cranial MRI scans were reviewed. Cranial scans were rendered with a module and used to produce 3D models of different anatomical structures. In addition, a medical illustration was drawn that shows different sizes of aneurysms and surgical clipping approaches.ResultsFor the contralateral approach, pterional craniotomy and sylvian dissection were performed. The contralateral SHA was reached from the prechiasmatic area. The dissected SHA was approached with an aneurysm clip, and maneuverability was evaluated. For the ipsilateral approach, pterional craniotomy and sylvian dissection were performed. The ipsilateral SHA was reached by mobilizing the left optic nerve with left optic nerve unroofing and left anterior clinoidectomy. MRI measurements showed that the area of the prechiasm was 90.4 ± 36.6 mm2 (prefixed: 46.9 ± 10.4 mm2, normofixed: 84.8 ± 15.7 mm2, postfixed: 137.2 ± 19.5 mm2, p < 0.001), the distance between the anterior aspect of the optic chiasm and the limbus sphenoidale was 10.0 ± 3.5 mm (prefixed: 5.7 ± 0.8 mm, normofixed: 9.6 ± 1.6 mm, postfixed:14.4 ± 1.6 mm, p < 0.001), and optic nerves’ interneural angle was 65.2° ± 10.0° (prefixed: 77.1° ± 7.3, normofixed: 63.6° ± 7.7°, postfixed: 57.7° ± 5.7°, p: 0.010).ConclusionAnatomic dissections along with 3D virtual model simulations and illustrations demonstrated that the contralateral approach would potentially allow for proximal control and neck control/clipping in smaller SHA aneurysm with relatively minimal retraction of the contralateral optic nerve in the setting of pre- or normofixed chiasm, and ipsilateral approach requires anterior clinodectomy and optic unroofing with considerable optic nerve mobilization to control proximal ICA and clip the aneurysm neck effectively.

Object Pose Detection to Enable 3D Interaction from 2D Equirectangular Images in Mixed Reality Educational Settings

In this paper, we address the challenge of estimating the 6DoF pose of objects in 2D equirectangular images. This solution allows the transition to the objects’ 3D model from their current pose. In particular, it finds application in the educational use of 360° videos, where it enhances the learning experience of students by making it more engaging and immersive due to the possible interaction with 3D virtual models. We developed a general approach usable for any object and shape. The only requirement is to have an accurate CAD model, even without textures of the item, whose pose must be estimated. The developed pipeline has two main steps: vehicle segmentation from the image background and estimation of the vehicle pose. To accomplish the first task, we used deep learning methods, while for the second, we developed a 360° camera simulator in Unity to generate synthetic equirectangular images used for comparison. We conducted our tests using a miniature truck model whose CAD was at our disposal. The developed algorithm was tested using a metrological analysis applied to real data. The results showed a mean difference of 1.5° with a standard deviation of 1° from the ground truth data for rotations, and 1.4 cm with a standard deviation of 1.5 cm for translations over a research range of ±20° and ±20 cm, respectively.

3D driven hard tissue augmentation based on reverse planning Reconstruction of an advanced, horizonto-vertical alveolar ridge defect: A case report

This case report presents a novel, 3D-driven reverse planning for surgical rehabilitation of an advanced alveolar ridge defect. Utilizing a completely digital workflow, alveolar ridge augmentation could virtually be simulated thus simplifying the surgical procedure. In this case report the digitally planned treatment of a severe horizontovertical alveolar ridge defect is presented. Preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan was segmented using a semi-automatic segmentation technique in an open-source medical image processing software (3D Slicer) to develop virtual 3D models of dental and alveolar structures. Intraoral scan, bite registration was also acquired to generate a digital wax-up. Consequently, prosthetically ideal implant positions could be planned in 3D. Based on future implant positions, adequate amount of hard tissue augmentation could be planned virtually. Individualized form of the barrier membrane could be determined, allowing the additive manufacturing of a membrane cutting template for shaping the barrier membrane during surgery. The combination of a non-resorbable barrier membrane, tenting screws, and composite graft (50% xenograft, 50% autogenous bone) was utilized. A follow-up CBCT scan was taken after 9 months to determine volumetric and 3D morphological changes. After 9 months, a hard tissue gain of 0.81 cm 3 could be observed. During the 6-9 month healing period membrane exposition did not occur. Virtual planning and subsequent surgical simulation on 3D models is a novel method in “prosthetically driven” augmentation potentially reducing the duration of surgery and postoperative complications. However, further studies are necessary to drive any more conclusions.

VIRTUALLY THROWING BENCHMARKS INTO THE OCEAN FOR DEEP SEA PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND IMAGE PROCESSING EVALUATION

Abstract. Vision in the deep sea is acquiring increasing interest from many fields as the deep seafloor represents the largest surface portion on Earth. Unlike common shallow underwater imaging, deep sea imaging requires artificial lighting to illuminate the scene in perpetual darkness. Deep sea images suffer from degradation caused by scattering, attenuation and effects of artificial light sources and have a very different appearance to images in shallow water or on land. This impairs transferring current vision methods to deep sea applications. Development of adequate algorithms requires some data with ground truth in order to evaluate the methods. However, it is practically impossible to capture a deep sea scene also without water or artificial lighting effects. This situation impairs progress in deep sea vision research, where already synthesized images with ground truth could be a good solution. Most current methods either render a virtual 3D model, or use atmospheric image formation models to convert real world scenes to appear as in shallow water appearance illuminated by sunlight. Currently, there is a lack of image datasets dedicated to deep sea vision evaluation. This paper introduces a pipeline to synthesize deep sea images using existing real world RGB-D benchmarks, and exemplarily generates the deep sea twin datasets for the well known Middlebury stereo benchmarks. They can be used both for testing underwater stereo matching methods and for training and evaluating underwater image processing algorithms. This work aims towards establishing an image benchmark, which is intended particularly for deep sea vision developments.

Development and Validation of a Novel Methodological Pipeline to Integrate Neuroimaging and Photogrammetry for Immersive 3D Cadaveric Neurosurgical Simulation.

BackgroundVisualizing and comprehending 3-dimensional (3D) neuroanatomy is challenging. Cadaver dissection is limited by low availability, high cost, and the need for specialized facilities. New technologies, including 3D rendering of neuroimaging, 3D pictures, and 3D videos, are filling this gap and facilitating learning, but they also have limitations. This proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility of combining the spatial accuracy of 3D reconstructed neuroimaging data with realistic texture and fine anatomical details from 3D photogrammetry to create high-fidelity cadaveric neurosurgical simulations.MethodsFour fixed and injected cadaver heads underwent neuroimaging. To create 3D virtual models, surfaces were rendered using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, and segmented anatomical structures were created. A stepwise pterional craniotomy procedure was performed with synchronous neuronavigation and photogrammetry data collection. All points acquired in 3D navigational space were imported and registered in a 3D virtual model space. A novel machine learning-assisted monocular-depth estimation tool was used to create 3D reconstructions of 2-dimensional (2D) photographs. Depth maps were converted into 3D mesh geometry, which was merged with the 3D virtual model’s brain surface anatomy to test its accuracy. Quantitative measurements were used to validate the spatial accuracy of 3D reconstructions of different techniques.ResultsSuccessful multilayered 3D virtual models were created using volumetric neuroimaging data. The monocular-depth estimation technique created qualitatively accurate 3D representations of photographs. When 2 models were merged, 63% of surface maps were perfectly matched (mean [SD] deviation 0.7 ± 1.9 mm; range −7 to 7 mm). Maximal distortions were observed at the epicenter and toward the edges of the imaged surfaces. Virtual 3D models provided accurate virtual measurements (margin of error <1.5 mm) as validated by cross-measurements performed in a real-world setting.ConclusionThe novel technique of co-registering neuroimaging and photogrammetry-based 3D models can (1) substantially supplement anatomical knowledge by adding detail and texture to 3D virtual models, (2) meaningfully improve the spatial accuracy of 3D photogrammetry, (3) allow for accurate quantitative measurements without the need for actual dissection, (4) digitalize the complete surface anatomy of a cadaver, and (5) be used in realistic surgical simulations to improve neurosurgical education.

Efficacy of High-Resolution Preoperative 3D Reconstructions for Lesion Localization in Oncological Colorectal Surgery-First Pilot Study.

When planning an operation, surgeons usually rely on traditional 2D imaging. Moreover, colon neoplastic lesions are not always easy to locate macroscopically, even during surgery. A 3D virtual model may allow surgeons to localize lesions with more precision and to better visualize the anatomy. In this study, we primary analyzed and discussed the clinical impact of using such 3D models in colorectal surgery. This is a monocentric prospective observational pilot study that includes 14 consecutive patients who presented colorectal lesions with indication for surgical therapy. A staging computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a colonoscopy were performed on each patient. The information gained from them was provided to obtain a 3D rendering. The 2D images were shown to the surgeon performing the operation, while the 3D reconstructions were shown to a second surgeon. Both of them had to locate the lesion and describe which procedure they would have performed; we then compared their answers with one another and with the intraoperative and histopathological findings. The lesion localizations based on the 3D models were accurate in 100% of cases, in contrast to conventional 2D CT scans, which could not detect the lesion in two patients (in these cases, lesion localization was based on colonoscopy). The 3D model reconstruction allowed an excellent concordance correlation between the estimated and the actual location of the lesion, allowing the surgeon to correctly plan the procedure with excellent results. Larger clinical studies are certainly required.

Utilizing a novel radiographic image segmentation method for the assessment of periodontal healing following regenerative surgical treatment.

The aim of the current article was to present a radiographic method to determine the surface area of newly formed periodontal attachment, as well as to analyze volumetric and morphologic changes after regenerative periodontal treatment. In this retrospective study, 11 singular intrabony periodontal defects were selected for minimally invasive surgical treatment and 3D evaluation. 3D virtual models were acquired by the segmentation of pre- and postoperative CBCT scans. This study determined the surface area of baseline periodontal attachment (RSA-A) and defect-involved root surface (RSA-D) on the preoperative 3D models, and the surface area of new periodontal attachment (RSA-NA) on the postoperative models. Finally, cumulative change of periodontal attachment (∆RSA-A) was calculated and Boolean subtraction was applied on pre- and postoperative 3D models to demonstrate postoperative 3D hard tissue alterations. The average RSA-A was 84.39 ± 33.27 mm2, while the average RSA-D was 24.26 ± 11.94 mm2. The average surface area of RSA-NA after regenerative periodontal surgery was 17.68 ± 10.56 mm2. Additionally, ∆RSA-A was determined to assess the overall effects of ridge alterations on periodontal attachment, averaging 15.53 ± 12.47 mm2, which was found to be statistically significant (P = .00149). Lastly, the volumetric hard tissue gain was found to be 33.56 ± 19.35 mm3, whereas hard tissue resorption of 26.31 ± 38.39 mm3 occurred. The proposed 3D radiographic method provides a detailed understanding of new periodontal attachment formation and hard tissue alterations following regenerative surgical treatment of intrabony periodontal defects.

Comparison of virtual 3D-modelling assisted teaching vs traditional lecture-based teaching for first-year medical students to understand the anatomy of various endocrine organs during the COVID-19 pandemic

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Identifying the Critical Barriers Factors to the Implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Sarawak's Construction Industry

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the most advanced developments in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry that can generate a 3D virtual information model which can be used for planning, design, construction, and operations. As Building Information Modelling (BIM) approaches the construction industry as a new technology and process, changes in the industry have created some barriers to BIM adoption in Malaysia. This research aims to enhance the implementation of BIM in the construction stage of Sarawak's construction industry by identifying and classifying the critical barriers. This study fills this current knowledge gap and enhances the understanding of BIM in the construction stage and the factors that hinder implementation in Sarawak. To develop the challenges being faced in this industry, a set of barrier clusters based on people, process, policy, technology, and cost were pre-identified through a literature review, and a structured interview involving three BIM experts was conducted on WebEx to refine these barriers with the current industry situation. As an outcome, this study identified 49 of the barriers from the literature and refined them into 26 of the barriers under their main clusters. Interestingly, they all validated the fact that lack of government involvement in BIM implementation is an undeniable barrier factor to growing BIM utilization and reaching its full potential. This study will form the basis of further research, and additional studies focusing on prioritizing these identified barriers for strategic planning would help the construction players in their swift transformation to BIM.

ЗРИТЕЛЬ В ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ ВИРТУАЛЬНОЙ РЕАЛЬНОСТИ: ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ПЛАНЕТАРНОЙ ОПТИКИ

ЗРИТЕЛЬ В ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ ВИРТУАЛЬНОЙ РЕАЛЬНОСТИ: ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ПЛАНЕТАРНОЙ ОПТИКИ

The influence of freeway curve characteristics on drivers' speed perception accuracy.

Owing to the complicated geometric conditions and increasingly diversified driving environment, freeway curves have become a road section with frequent serious accidents. To ensure safe driving on curves, drivers must first perceive the movement condition and the vehicle’s position, and accurately evaluate the characteristics of the road to make the right speed choice. In this process, the perception of speed plays a crucial role. The present study aims to investigate the driver’s speed perception characteristics with respect to freeway curves to better understand the driver speed selection mechanism. We first construct six three-dimensional (3D) virtual highway models, which are consistent with the geometric lines and traffic engineering instruments of real freeways. A virtual simulation test is then conducted in a highly immersive environment. After the completion of the simulation experiment, we conduct a field verification experiment, test the actual driving speed and perceived speed of drivers in the same place as the simulation experiment, and verify the effectiveness of the simulation method. Finally, 25 3D curve models of four different types are constructed, and the influence of curve characteristics (e.g., curve radius, curve combination, tangent length between curves) on drivers’ speed perception accuracy are tested on the simulation platform. The results show that the driver’s perceived speed is lower than the real speed when driving on curves, and the tangent-to-spiral (TS) point is the section where the driver’s speed is most underestimated. Radius was the most important factor affecting driver’s speed perception, but the tangent length between curves also had a lesser influence. However, the curve combination had no effect on it. Our findings can help researchers and road designers understand the reasons for drivers’ speed choice, thus promoting drivers’ safety on freeway curves.

V05-01 3D AUGMENTED REALITY-GUIDED ROBOTIC-ASSISTED KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION: REVEALING THE CONCEALED

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022V05-01 3D AUGMENTED REALITY-GUIDED ROBOTIC-ASSISTED KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION: REVEALING THE CONCEALED Alberto Piana, Gallioli Andrea, Pietro Diana, Angelo Territo, Josep Maria Gaya, Pavel Gavrilov, Óscar Rodriguez Faba, Jordi Huguet, Lluis Guirado, Carme Facundo, Riccardo Campi, Andrea Bellin, Daniele Amparore, Sergio Serni, Joan Palou, and Alberto Breda Alberto PianaAlberto Piana More articles by this author , Gallioli AndreaGallioli Andrea More articles by this author , Pietro DianaPietro Diana More articles by this author , Angelo TerritoAngelo Territo More articles by this author , Josep Maria GayaJosep Maria Gaya More articles by this author , Pavel GavrilovPavel Gavrilov More articles by this author , Óscar Rodriguez FabaÓscar Rodriguez Faba More articles by this author , Jordi HuguetJordi Huguet More articles by this author , Lluis GuiradoLluis Guirado More articles by this author , Carme FacundoCarme Facundo More articles by this author , Riccardo CampiRiccardo Campi More articles by this author , Andrea BellinAndrea Bellin More articles by this author , Daniele AmparoreDaniele Amparore More articles by this author , Sergio SerniSergio Serni More articles by this author , Joan PalouJoan Palou More articles by this author , and Alberto BredaAlberto Breda More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002579.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) has long shown solid results as a minimally invasive alternative to the standard open approach (OKT) for living donor and promising results for deceased donor. However, RAKT is still limited in those cases where the recipient’s iliac vessels present atherosclerotic plaques, frequently found in elder patients and in those subjected to long-term hemodialysis. Unlike OKT, where the surgeon can palpate the arterial plaques, in minimally-invasive surgery the haptic feedback is missing making the vascular clamping and arteriotomy unsafe. To overcome this limitation, 3-Dimensional (3D) imaging virtual reconstruction was employed using the Augmented Reality (AR) to intraoperatively locate the plaques, driving the surgeon during the crucial steps of KT. METHODS: Our study was conducted according to IDEAL model for surgical innovation. 3D printed and virtual models were obtained from high-accuracy conventional CT scan imaging and superimposed on the vessels during RAKT using the Da Vinci console software. RESULTS: In the IDEAL phase 0, 3D virtual models were obtained from patients with artery plaques, printed and compared to the vascular anatomy of the patient during 2 OKTs by manual palpation. In phase 1, the 3D virtual models of patients without plaques were superimposed during a combined open-robotic KT and 2 RAKTs. Anatomical fidelity was assessed by measuring and comparing the virtual model to the real vessels. Then, we employed the 3D AR on a clinical case without plaques during the vascular clamping and arteriotomy phases to gain insight of anatomy modification during vessel dissection. The correspondence of 3D virtual models with the real anatomy of patients with plaques was tested by scanning the iliac arteries with a robotic ultrasound (US) probe in 10 patients undergoing robotic-assisted iliac lymph-node dissection for prostate cancer. Finally, after US confirmation, the 3D-AR accurately enabled the surgeon to place the clamp and perform the arteriotomy safely in a clinical case with arterial plaques. CONCLUSIONS: The employment of 3D-AR allowed to overcome one of the main limitations of RAKT, setting the foundation to expand its indications to patients with advanced atheromatic vascular disease. Source of Funding: None © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e516 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Alberto Piana More articles by this author Gallioli Andrea More articles by this author Pietro Diana More articles by this author Angelo Territo More articles by this author Josep Maria Gaya More articles by this author Pavel Gavrilov More articles by this author Óscar Rodriguez Faba More articles by this author Jordi Huguet More articles by this author Lluis Guirado More articles by this author Carme Facundo More articles by this author Riccardo Campi More articles by this author Andrea Bellin More articles by this author Daniele Amparore More articles by this author Sergio Serni More articles by this author Joan Palou More articles by this author Alberto Breda More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

V26 - 3D virtual models in planning kidney cancer surgery: Impact on surgical technique in Padua >= 8 masses scheduled for NSS.

V26 - 3D virtual models in planning kidney cancer surgery: Impact on surgical technique in Padua >= 8 masses scheduled for NSS.

Assessment of Virtual 3D Anatomy and Prosected Cadaver Use for Anatomy Laboratory Sessions Through Regional Dissection

Introductions and ObjectiveIn the pandemic, many medical schools transitioned from traditional regional cadaver dissection to alternative methods for the laboratory portion of anatomy. Starting in the fall of 2020, our first‐year class switched from traditional dissection to using prosected cadavers and virtual 3D anatomy modules (Toltec Virtual Human Dissector platform). One issue with using prosections is that cadavers lose context as fasciae and other tissues are removed and altered in order to display important structures. The addition of virtual 3D models allows us to put that context back as structures can be added, removed, and manipulated in the program.Typically, alternative lab teaching methods are assessed through exam and Board scores; however, written exams can be completed successfully through the study of lecture materials, textbooks, and illustrated 2D anatomical images. We believe that regional dissection is a more a practical and rigorous assessment of whether the combined prosection and virtual anatomy use are a successful replacement for traditional dissection. After learning anatomy through the combined alternative methods are students able to find and identify important structures on an intact cadaver or even on a patient? The aim of this study is to assess whether students take the knowledge they gained through prosections and virtual anatomy and apply it successfully to regional dissection.Materials and MethodsA subset of students (n = 14) from the first‐year class participated in a summer musculoskeletal dissection workshop. A total of 8 cadavers were dissected. Students were responsible for dissecting a specific region and finding and identifying important structures from an identification list.ResultsIn general, students taking musculoskeletal anatomy using the alternative lab methods either scored similarly or better on exams in comparison to previous students who did the traditional dissection labs. Students were able to find and identify nearly all the structures on their ID lists for the region they were dissecting. The quality of the dissections were at a level that the dissections were used as prosections for upcoming classes. Students were enthusiastic while dissecting, and at the end of the experience half of them felt comfortable enough with the material to serve as TA’s for the next first‐year class.ConclusionThe level of knowledge gained through prosections and virtual 3D models is more than sufficient, as students are able to locate structures through dissection and produce high quality prosections. Regional dissection serves as a good assessment of alternative anatomy lab teaching methods and allows us to gauge students’ practical anatomy knowledge.Significance/ImplicationThe results of this study indicate that our alternatives to traditional dissection are effective teaching methods in a laboratory setting and serve as a satisfactory replacement for dissection. Furthermore, this study suggests that knowledge gained through virtual 3D models and prosections alone may translate more directly to practical or clinical skills.

Integration of Virtual Three‐ Dimensional (3D) Anatomy Platforms with Cadaveric Prosections in the Teaching of Cardiac Anatomy

IntroductionA challenge faced by first year medical students is to understand the orientation of the heart in the thorax and an understanding of how blood moves through each chamber, correlating this anatomic understanding with clinical landmarks for auscultation. Previous studies have revealed the utility of three‐dimensional (3D) learning in medical education and specifically for the cardiovascular system through plastinated models, 3D computed tomography imaging, and ultrasound correlations (1‐3). By integrating virtual 3D anatomy platforms, specifically 3D4Medical’s Complete Anatomy, alongside cadaveric prosections, medical students may gain a better understanding of the path of blood flow through the heart and its orientation in the thorax.HypothesisIncorporating virtual 3D anatomy platforms with prosected cadavers improves the understanding of cardiac anatomy, specifically the orientation of the heart in the thorax and blood flow through the heart, compared to only prosected cadavers.Materials and Methods137 first year medical students at FIU HWCOM (CO 2025) attended a 25‐minute session in groups of 7‐9 students facilitated by two fourth year medical teaching assistants (TAs). In the session, the TA discussed cardiac anatomy using a prosected cadaver for half the time, followed by teaching with the 3D virtual anatomy models on the Complete Anatomyapplication from 3D4Medical. The 3D virtual anatomy models were used to further explain the location of the heart in the thorax and the path blood flow through the heart, emphasizing the correlations between anatomical structures and clinical auscultation sites. A two‐question end‐of‐course survey using the 5‐point Likert Scale was administered to all students who participated in the session. Questions included “Q1. The demonstrations with Complete Anatomy were helpful for my understanding of anatomy and pathology.” and “Q2. How likely are you to recommend virtual anatomy platforms like 3D Complete Anatomy to other medical students?”Results123 students completed the first question (Q1) and 125 students completed the second question (Q2) of the survey. For Q1, 62.6% of responses indicated that they either Agreed (34.96%) or Strongly Agreed (27.64%) that Complete Anatomy was helpful for their understanding of anatomy and pathology. For Q2, 87.2% of responses indicated that they were either Likely (25.60%) or Very Likely (61.60%) to recommend virtual anatomy platforms to other medical students.ConclusionsThe results of our survey support our hypothesis that the integrated virtual 3D anatomy teaching model improves first year medical students’ understanding of cardiac anatomy. Additionally, students overwhelmingly recommend the use of virtual anatomy platforms like Complete Anatomy to other medical students.ImplicationThe integration of virtual 3D anatomy platforms to study cardiac anatomy will strengthen the quality of medical education for first year medical students. Moving forward, it is recommended that 3D anatomy platforms be integrated into our institution’s curriculum alongside traditional cadaveric models for the teaching of cardiac anatomy in the first‐year anatomy course.

3D Reconstruction of Fruit Shape based on Vision and Edge Sections

The fruit industry has been known as one of the largest businesses in Malaysia, where most of the fruits pass through the peeling process well in advance before the final product as juice in a bottle or slices in a can. The current industrial fruit peeling techniques are passive and inefficient by cutting parts of the pulp of the fruit with peels leading to losses. To avoid this issue, a multi-axis CNC fruit peeler can be used to precisely peel the outer layer with the guidance of a 3D virtual model of fruit. In this work, a new cost-effective method of 3D image reconstruction was developed to convert 36 fruit images captured by a normal RGB camera to a 3D model by capturing a single image every 10 degrees of fruit rotation along a fixed axis. The point cloud data extracted with edge detection were passed to Blender 3D software for meshing in different approaches. The vertical link frame meshing method developed in this research proved a qualitative similarity between the output result and the scanned fruit in a processing time of less than 50 seconds.

3D Embryonic Heart Goes Mobile: Efficacy of Mobile Application in Congenital Cardiac Embryology Education

Mastery of embryonic heart development is challenging but critical for medical professionals due to the frequency and variety of congenital cardiac defects that arise when the process goes awry. Unfortunately, teaching and learning cardiac embryology is difficult due to a lack of accurate and effective visual resources that depict this complex spatiotemporal event. To that end, an interactive mobile application named Embryonic Virtual Heart Application (EVHA) was developed as an accessible and interactive learner platform featuring a set of anatomically accurate 3D embryonic heart models with and without congenital cardiac defects (Figure 1). The project aims to assess whether the EVHA usage leads to measurable learning outcomes for first‐year medical students in the absence of a traditional lecture on cardiac embryology and congenital cardiac defects.In a COMIRB exempt study (#21‐4827), as a part of an optional pre‐work activity prior to the cardiac embryology class, 172 first‐year medical students were given access to a pre‐quiz (Q1) on cardiac embryology before interacting with the EVHA. After the EVHA usage, a post‐quiz (Q2) comprised of a set of matched, but different, questions than the Q1 was provided. During the class, students’ retention on this topic was assessed by a set of clinically oriented questions (Q3). Lastly, students completed an optional survey on their perceived value of the EVHA after the class. The learning outcomes from the EVHA usage were assessed by a one‐way ANOVA to compare Q1, Q2, and Q3 performances. To analyze the survey results, the frequency of each Likert scale score was averaged while thematic analysis was performed on the comments.The learning outcomes analysis revealed a significant increase in quiz performance between Q1 (22% ± 19%) and Q2 (65% ± 24%) with a 43% increase in the score (p&lt;0.001; d=0.7; n=21). In‐class performance (Q3) average (61%; n=61) for all participants was not significantly different from Q2 (p&gt;0.05), however those students who completed all optional prework (Q1, EVHA, Q2) had a significantly higher Q3 performance (79%; p &lt;0.05; n=9). Survey analysis indicates that students perceive EVHA as an effective learning tool with its greatest strength being the interactive 3D virtual models of the congenital cardiac defects.Despite the limitations and confounds in this project, these results indicate that the EVHA may be an effective tool contributing to significant learning outcomes independent from a formal class and can further enhance learning in the classroom and on higher‐order assessments. The impact of this project is its contribution of an accessible, portable and visually‐oriented learning resource on cardiac embryology with clinical emphasis. Based on the learning outcomes data, the project also demonstrates the potential of educational mobile applications in medical curricula in which contact hours are limited.

Gesticulating Biochemistry: Exploring the Impact of using Augmented Reality Models on Students’ Usage of Gestures when Talking about Biochemistry

There are multiple examples in the literature highlighting the connection between gestures and meaning‐making by students learning chemical concepts in chemistry; however, there is little known about whether this connection extends to student learning in biochemistry. Moreover, learning biochemistry often involves the use and coordination of multiple external representations (ranging from 2D illustrations and physical models to 3D virtual models) of macromolecules. How does use of these external representations impact student gesture production and meaning‐making when learning new biochemical content? In this study, we used a newly developed augmented reality (AR) model of the KscA channel to investigate the influence of external representations on student produced gestures during a discussion on KscA function. We focused on several research questions: what are the different biochemistry content knowledge that students express through gestures? What are the different types of gestures and patterns of gesture production used by students to express content knowledge? What are the differences, if any, in student produced gestures before and after the introduction of an AR model? What are the relationships between student produced gestures and the AR model? Semi‐structured clinical interviews were conducted and recorded through Zoom. Seven undergraduate students who enrolled in an upper‐division biochemistry course participated in the interview. During the interview, participants were presented with an AR model of KcsA channel after proposing a theory of how potassium ions move through the channel. Participants were then asked to modify their theory. In the first stage of analysis, interview participants’ utterances were transcribed and their gestures were described in terms of hand shape and movement. The identification of unique gestures as part of the coding process highlighted the importance of hand shape vs movement vs a combination of both as ways to delineate different gestures. In the second stage of analysis, qualitative and quantitative differences in student gesture production were identified through a comparative analysis of student gestures before and after their exposure to the AR model. Exposure to the AR model resulted in a shift from gestures that were more general (for example, holding two hands parallel to represent the channel) to more specific to the channel representation they say (for example, holding two hands to form a funnel shape or curling one hand into a tube shape). Our findings add to existing literature on the use of external representation in biochemistry education by highlighting the relationships between AR mediated external representations and gesture mediated external representations. Implications for both the development of new external representations and instructor’s choice of external representations are discussed.