The visible ear simulator: a public PC application for GPU-accelerated haptic 3D simulation of ear surgery based on the visible ear data.
BACKGROUND
Existing virtual simulators for middle ear surgery are based on 3-dimensional (3D) models from computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging data in which image quality is limited by the lack of detail (maximum, approximately 50 voxels/mm3), natural color, and texture of the source material.Virtual training often requires the purchase of a program, a customized computer, and expensive peripherals dedicated exclusively to this purpose.


METHODS
The Visible Ear freeware library of digital images from a fresh-frozen human temporal bone was segmented, and real-time volume rendered as a 3D model of high-fidelity, true color, and great anatomic detail and realism of the surgically relevant structures. A haptic drilling model was developed for surgical interaction with the 3D model.


RESULTS
Realistic visualization in high-fidelity (approximately 125 voxels/mm3) and true color, 2D, or optional anaglyph stereoscopic 3D was achieved on a standard Core 2 Duo personal computer with a GeForce 8,800 GTX graphics card, and surgical interaction was provided through a relatively inexpensive (approximately $2,500) Phantom Omni haptic 3D pointing device.


CONCLUSIONS
This prototype is published for download (approximately 120 MB) as freeware at http://www.alexandra.dk/ves/index.htm.With increasing personal computer performance, future versions may include enhanced resolution (up to 8,000 voxels/mm3) and realistic interaction with deformable soft tissue components such as skin, tympanic membrane, dura, and cholesteatomas-features some of which are not possible with computed tomographic-/magnetic resonance imaging-based systems.
Sorensen
Mads Solvsten
MS
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. msolv@rh.regionh.dk
Mosegaard
Jesper
J
Trier
Peter
P
D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003201:Computers; D004423:Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface