iAnatomy Project The iAnatomy Project seeks to consolidate information about all human anatomy and surgical techniques into one place. It uses the latest in technology (including Java, 3D graphics, etc) so that training surgeons anywhere can view, understand, and learn their skills faster and better. (sponsored by Sun Microsystems)
Cleft Lip Project The Cleft Lip Project has produced a CDROM and Web site of cleft lip anatomy and surgical technique. In this way, surgeons anywhere in the world can learn the skills to repair these defects. This project is now on its second major release. (Collaboration with Interplast and Smile Train)

Craniofacial Surgical Planning One major focus of our research is in surgical planning, with a special emphasis on craniofacial procedures and reconstructive surgery. These procedures are often some of the most challenging because every patient is different and requires patient-specific preoperative planning. Our system has now been refined during its use on over 50 patients.

Hand Surgery Diagnosis The same technology we use for preoperative surgical planning can be used as an aid for preoperative diagnosis as well. In this project we use 3D reconstructions from CT to derive patient-specific computer models of wrists to aid in diagnosing wrist injury.

IntraOperative Assistance- Orthopedics We are devloping a computerized intraoperative tracking system that directs the surgeon in the precise positioning of orthopedic surgical hardware. This would allow for reduced operating time and less radiation exposure.

IntraOperative Visualization and Navigation We are developing an augmented reality system to provide assistance to a surgeon while performing a surgical procedure. By making use of a tracked, head-mounted computer display, we can overlay important information onto the surgeons visual field to assist them during the procedure.

Mandibular Reconstruction Mandibular reconstructions present a great challenge to the surgeon. While a free fibula transfer is typically the best candidate for repairing the defect, precise planning of the shaping of the bone is crucial to obtaining a good surgical result. We have developed surgical planning technologies to aid the surgeon in achieving a superior surgical result.

Microsurgical Training Simulator Initial skills in microvascular surgery are usually developed in the animal lab and subsequently refined in the operating room. We have developed a virtual reality computer system that allows the user to realistically simulate vessel anastomosis and is able to monitor the progress of the trainee as well as compare the performance to an experienced surgeon.

Surgical Simulator for Rat Dissection in Microgravity We are developing a surgical simulator to aid astronauts in preparing for animal dissections in microgravity. Using our soft-tissue modeling software, we can realistically simulate these procedures to allow the astronauts to train under many different scenarios in order to refine their skills, while decreases the need for animal testing. (Collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center)

TeleICU We are developing an immersive telepresence system over the Internet2 to enable the projection of critical care expertise remotely to support under-served areas. This work is aimed at basic research into providing the optimal integration of all aspects of patient information with real-time full-motion video to create a telepresence equivalent to actually being there with the patient. (Collaboration with Yale University)

TeleRehab The TeleRehabilitation Station enables patients to do their rehabilitation from wrist, knee, or elbow injury in an interactive, engaging virtual reality environment. This makes the rehabilitation experience more enjoyable for the patient, but also allows for the quanitification of how well they are performing over time as an indication of how their therapy is progressing. (Collaboration with the Veterans Administration and Rutgers University)

An Interactive Atlas of Tooth Anatomy This project will significantly improve clinical results in dental treatment by providing the first complete volume (3-D) data of real tooth anatomy. The result will be the most sophisticated and comprehensive body of knowledge on the variations of human tooth anatomy in existence. (Collaboration with Brown and Herbranson Imaging)

Virtual Glovebox Astronauts on the International Space Station or on long-duration space missions will need to perform many experiments inside of a glovebox experimental module. Planning out these experiments and allowing the astronauts to train for them is costly and difficult. We are collaborating with the NASA Ames Research Center to use our simulation software to provide for planning and training in a virtual reality version of the glovebox. (Collaboration with the NASA Ames Research Center)

VirtualHysteroscopy The project is to develop a training simulator for operative hysteroscopy to allow gynecologists to both see and feel the field of operation. In this way, we can allow the introduction of anatomic variation, simulation of untoward events, and collection of surgical performance data. Further, by providing force feedback, we can offer the ability to monitor forces on the virtual surgical instruments to permit concurrent assessment of operative maneuvers, and to improve training to reduce the risk of error. (Collaboration with Immersion Corporation)

Virtual OB/GYN Training The training of laparoscopic surgeons is time-consuming and sometimes laborious because of different aptitudes of students for visualization of 3D objects, and eye-hand coordination. Training methods have heretofore included in vitro and in vivo laboratory experience, followed by "practicing" in the operating room with mentors. The incorporation of virtual environments can provide the ability to simulate many different surgical scanarios, to quantify surgical performance, and to refine skills in a no-risk environment.

Interactive Atlas of Inner Ear Anatomy The goal of this project was to create an anatomically accurate three-dimensional computer model of the temporal bone. Learning temporal bone anatomy is a basic part of the medical curriculum. Teaching comes in the form of texts, the temporal bone lab, and operative experience, but this training is often difficult due to the complexity inherent to the temporal bone anatomy. We therefore sought to add to the teaching armamentarium with the help of high-resolution, computer-generated 3-D models.