Simulated medical learning environments on the Internet.
Learning anatomy and surgical procedures requires both a conceptual understanding of three-dimensional anatomy and a hands-on manipulation of tools and tissue. Such virtual resources are not available widely, are expensive, and may be culturally disallowed. Simulation technology, using high-performance computers and graphics, permits realistic real-time display of anatomy. Haptics technology supports the ability to probe and feel this virtual anatomy through the use of virtual tools. The Internet permits world-wide access to resources. We have brought together high-performance servers and high-bandwidth communication using the Next Generation Internet and complex bimanual haptics to simulate a tool-based learning environment for wide use. This article presents the technologic basis of this environment and some evaluation of its use in the gross anatomy course at Stanford University.
Dev
Parvati
P
SUMMIT, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5466, USA. Parvati.Dev@stanford.edu
Montgomery
Kevin
K
Senger
Steven
S
Heinrichs
W Leroy
WL
Srivastava
Sakti
S
Waldron
Kenneth
K
D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D020407:Internet