RepliExplore: coupling physical and virtual anatomy models.
OBJECTIVE
We present a system which co-registers physical anatomy models with virtual three-dimensional (3D) representations. Interactions performed on the physical model by means of a 3D pointing device are directly reflected on its virtual counterpart. Complex anatomical information integrated into the virtual model thus becomes accessible through the physical interface in a simple and intuitive manner.


METHODS
Using an optical tracking system, we implemented and tested a reference application that includes several tools for the exploration and quantification of anatomical models. We theoretically evaluated the accuracy of the landmark-based registration for different landmark configurations.


RESULTS
Physicians and computer scientists found the system simple to learn and intuitive to use. By optimizing landmark configurations, the accuracy could be significantly increased, particularly for scenarios in which only selected regions required higher accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical anatomical models can benefit from the combination with a virtual counterpart in several ways. Applications include anatomical education and the study of patient-individual organ models. Optimizing the registration landmark configuration for specific applications can lower the accuracy requirements for the tracking system.
Seitel
Mathias
M
Division of Medical and Biological Informatics, German Cancer Research Center, INF 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, m.seitel@dkfz-heidelberg.de.
Maier-Hein
Lena
L
Seitel
Alexander
A
Franz
Alfred M
AM
Kenngott
Hannes
H
De Simone
Raffaele
R
Wolf
Ivo
I
Meinzer
Hans-Peter
HP
D000718:Anatomy, Regional / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000193:education*; D014584:User-Computer Interface