Virtual reality is the multi-dimensional sensorial environment produced by the computer, Users can play a part in this virtual environment by particular tools. This technology, possessing the characteristics of being lifelike, interactive and imaginative, plays more and more important part in the medical field. For example, in medical training, in physical and psychological treatments, this technology is of great value.
Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; General Surgery ; education ; methods ; Humans ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; User-Computer Interface

OBJECTIVETo establish a new visual educational system of virtual reality for clinical dentistry based on world wide web (WWW) webpage in order to provide more three-dimensional multimedia resources to dental students and an online three-dimensional consulting system for patients.

METHODSBased on computer graphics and three-dimensional webpage technologies, the software of 3Dsmax and Webmax were adopted in the system development. In the Windows environment, the architecture of whole system was established step by step, including three-dimensional model construction, three-dimensional scene setup, transplanting three-dimensional scene into webpage, reediting the virtual scene, realization of interactions within the webpage, initial test, and necessary adjustment.

RESULTSFive cases of three-dimensional interactive webpage for clinical dentistry were completed. The three-dimensional interactive webpage could be accessible through web browser on personal computer, and users could interact with the webpage through rotating, panning and zooming the virtual scene.

CONCLUSIONSIt is technically feasible to implement the visual educational system of virtual reality for clinical dentistry based on WWW webpage. Information related to clinical dentistry can be transmitted properly, visually and interactively through three-dimensional webpage.

Computer-Assisted Instruction ; methods ; Internet ; Oral Medicine ; education ; Software

OBJECTIVETo assess the application of analyzing systems and techniques in acupuncture manipulation education that may improve students' acupuncture manipulation skills.

METHODSThe teacher's acupuncture manipulation (TAM) was recorded in wave, data and video information by the Analyzing System. Students practised, adjusted and corrected their manipulation skills according to the TAM. After finishing the training sessions, the system's grading function evaluated every student's performance.

RESULTSAfter training, the stability of the students' acupuncture manipulation skills and their achievement were both significantly improved (P < 0.01, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe Analyzing System benefits for imitating and learning the manipulations of specilists and can improve the education quality.

Acupuncture ; education ; methods ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; methods ; Humans ; Medical Informatics ; education ; methods ; Teaching ; methods

Experimenting in medicine can be accomplished by virtual reality system. VRML is a tool to build virtual object and scenes which can realize static and animated applications in medicine. However, to creat a real environment, the demanded level of interactivity and dynamics is difficult to achieve. In this paper we describe some approaches and techniques which can realize dynamic 3D. Our demonstration is based on the implementation of a virtual baby model, whose character can be accomplished by external JAVA applications.
Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; economics ; instrumentation ; methods ; Education, Medical ; methods ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Programming Languages ; User-Computer Interface

OBJECTIVETo study the two-dimensional (2D) image segmentation, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and virtual surgery of cholecystectomy based on the 2D image data of the liver, biliary track and cholecystolithiasis obtained by 64-slice spiral CT.

METHODSThe image data of the liver, biliary track and cholecystolithiasis were obtained by 64-slice spiral CT scanning. Segmentation and automatic extraction of the images were performed using auto-adapting region growing algorithm. 3D reconstruction of the segmented data was carried out using MIMICS10.0 and self-designed software, and the data of the 3D model of the liver with the billiary tract were imported into FreeForm Modeling System for registration and smoothing. Virtual surgery of cholecystotomy for calculus removal and cholecystectomy were performed with Phantom.

RESULTSThe auto-adapting region growing algorithm allowed rapid image segmentation, and the 3D model of the liver based on the segmentation data clearly displayed vivid 3D structures of the liver. Virtual operations of cholecystectomy could be performed in the FreeForm Modeling System.

CONCLUSIONThe algorithm we proposed can correctly and rapidly complete image segmentation and 3D reconstruction of cholecystolithiasis from the data 64-slice spiral CT, and allows virtual operations on the gallbladder.

Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystolithiasis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cholecystostomy ; Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; User-Computer Interface

Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; methods ; Dental Models ; Humans ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; education ; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures ; education ; User-Computer Interface

Computer Graphics ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Pathology ; education ; Pathology, Clinical ; Specimen Handling ; methods

Acupuncture manipulation quantification is an important link of acupuncture normalization study. Because traditional acupuncture manipulation are complicated with difficulty of quantification, acupuncture instruments provide a new way for acupuncture manipulation quantification and acupuncture normalization. It is necessary to increase the understanding of the importance of developing acupuncture instruments, strengthen the study of related theory and development of acupuncture measurement instruments and acupuncture imitation instruments, enlarge serviceable range, verify efficacy, develop the theory of acupuncture manipulation, richen the study methods of acupuncture normalization, so as to promote internationalization of acupuncture.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Animals ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of virtual surgery in hepatic artery reconstruction in liver recipients with type II hepatic artery variation.

METHODSA patient with cholangiocellular carcinoma and a healthy individual were scanned using 64-slice spiral CT, and image segmentation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction were performed using an image processing system. The 3D models in STL format were then imported to the FreeForm Modeling System for smoothing and refinement. Hepatic artery reconstruction was performed in simulated liver transplantation using the virtual surgery system with force feedback (PHANTOM).

RESULTSThe reconstructed model contained the liver, hepatic arteries, biliary system, and bile duct tumor emboli and displayed the entire branching of the hepatic artery with type II variation. Using the virtual surgery system, arterial reconstruction was performed by anastomosing the donor celiac trunk and the recipient abdominal aorta with the virtual scalpel and needle.

CONCLUSIONThe reconstructed model allows clearer views of the 3D structures of the arteries in the liver and helps in preoperative preparations and surgical planning of artery reconstruction during liver transplantation. This approach may also help reduce the surgical risks and potential complications.

Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; methods ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. Education is at the core of cancer prevention activities, especially programs targeting empowering existing public health workforce. In the past 10 years, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have been building the Global Health Network Supercourse project, a library of over 4500 online lectures and a network of nearly 50000 public health professionals in 174 countries. As of November, 2010, the overall number of Supercourse participants from Asia exceeds 7000 participants. The Supercourse network has been investigating methods for Internet based recruitment of cancer prevention professionals in order to network cancer experts locally and globally, including the use of mHealth technologies for cancer research education and for NCD registries. Supercourse is a tool that can offer a solution to the challenges of information sharing, especially in the field of NCDs and cancer. In this paper, we highlight the need for the development of Cancer Supercourse with Satellite in Asia and encourage faculty members from Asia to join the network.
Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods ; Education, Public Health Professional/methods/*organization & administration ; Female ; Humans ; *Internet ; Male ; Neoplasms/mortality/*prevention & control ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; World Health