From: lindaj@vrguru.asd.sgi.com (Linda Jacobson)
Subject: Re: APPS:  VR in surgery
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 17:44:02 -0700


On Aug 28, 10:22am, Sci.Virtual-Worlds wrote:
> I'm researching the use of virtual relaity in surgery, more specifically
> reconstructive and plastic surgery.  If anyone could give me any sites
> or pointers in the right direction I would be very grateful :O)
> I have to establish what is actually being achieved the area, as well as
> the availability of the technology and the costs involved...
> Beth

Beth and others with similar interests:

This technology is available commercially; the costs provide the
proverbial return-on-investment; the applications are starting to
progress beyond the R&D phase, now moving into clinical use. Here in
the U.S., the latest med-VR products & services will be exhibited in
December at the Radiological Society of North America conference
(http://www.rsna.org/rsna97/index.html) and in Jan.'98 at the Medicine
Meets VR conference (http://millennianet.com/amainc/).

You'll find detailed info/images about VR in surgery at these web sites:

http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/chs/surgsim.html
>From the Center for Human Simulation at Univ of Colorado School of Medicine,

this web page comes up with a great Java animation showing a virtual scalpel
slicing through a virtual leg and exposing the tissue and vein below!

http://biocomp.arc.nasa.gov/vers/.index.html

Image-laden web site for the "Virtual Environment for Reconstructive Surgery,"
developed by NASA Ames Biocomputation Center in collaboration with the Stanford
University Med Ctr's Dept. of Reconstructive Surgery. NASA Ames Biocomputation
Center uses a Fakespace Immersive Workbench driven by a Silicon Graphics Onyx
InfiniteReality system (and viewed with StereoGraphics shutter glasses) to
visualize and polygonal- and surface-based/CT scan-generated images of child
patients who need cranio-facial reconstruction. The system is used to plan
their surgical procedures. It's beautiful.

http://www.sgi.com/Headlines/1997/June/med_features.html
Here you'll find a slew of articles about 3D graphics in medicine, including
five specifically about VR in medicine and healthcare. Lots of links.

http://www.sgi.com/Headlines/1996/August/digital_doctors/
Here you'll find a series of articles from summer '96 regarding VR in medicine.
More good links.

Hope this helps,
Linda Jacobson
Virtual Reality Evangelist, Silicon Graphics

lindaj@vrguru.asd.sgi.com (Linda Jacobson)