Virtual Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Exploration of Stomach Wall Based on a Cadaver's Sectioned Images

We intended to determine that virtual endoscopy and laparoscopy of the stomach based on serially sectioned cadaver images is beneficial. Therefore, the outlines between the gastric wall and lumen were traced using the new female data of the Visible Korean to build a volume model. While the outlines were expanded at appropriate thicknesses, the stomach was observed endoscopically and laparoscopically in comparison with a chosen sectioned image. Four layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscular layer, and serosa) of the stomach were discernible by their proper colors in the sectioned images. All layers except the submucosa were identified in the endoscopic and laparoscopic views by using consistent colors. The stepwise expansion of the outlines revealed thickness of each layer as well as whether the thickness was uniform. Our ideas and the Visible Korean images could be a robust resource of virtual reality learning for medical students and clinicians.

Portable Document Format File Showing the Surface Models of Cadaver Whole Body

In the Visible Korean project, 642 three-dimensional (3D) surface models have been built from the sectioned images of a male cadaver. It was recently discovered that popular PDF file enables users to approach the numerous surface models conveniently on Adobe Reader. Purpose of this study was to present a PDF file including systematized surface models of human body as the beneficial contents. To achieve the purpose, fitting software packages were employed in accordance with the procedures. Two-dimensional (2D) surface models including the original sectioned images were embedded into the 3D surface models. The surface models were categorized into systems and then groups. The adjusted surface models were inserted to a PDF file, where relevant multimedia data were added. The finalized PDF file containing comprehensive data of a whole body could be explored in varying manners. The PDF file, downloadable freely from the homepage (http://anatomy.co.kr), is expected to be used as a satisfactory self-learning tool of anatomy. Raw data of the surface models can be extracted from the PDF file and employed for various simulations for clinical practice. The technique to organize the surface models will be applied to manufacture of other PDF files containing various multimedia contents.

Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body - Sixth Report: Browsing Software of the Serially Sectioned Images for Learning Sectional Anatomy / 대한해부학회지

Sectional anatomy is the course to learn anatomical structures on the sectional planes of cadaver. The purpose of this research is to make browsing software of the serially sectioned images, which is useful not only to learn sectional anatomy but also to learn magnetic resonance (MR) images and computed tomography (CT) images. One-thousand seven-hundred two sets of corresponding anatomical, MR, CT, and segmented images (intervals 1 mm) were selected from the serially sectioned images (horizontal direction) of a Korean male cadaver's whole body. We composed browsing software (file size 377 MBytes) of the images, which involved the following functions: The anatomical, MR, CT, and segmented images, which were always corresponding, were displayed; one of four images could be enlarged; images of interesting levels could be displayed in a real time conveniently either using software buttons, scroll bar, image number or using computer keyboard; names of the 13 anatomical structures, which were already segmented, could be displayed. By using this software, medical students and doctors can figure out stereoscopic anatomical structures from the anatomical images to review anatomy; they can compare MR and CT images with corresponding anatomical images to easily recognize anatomical structures in the MR and CT images.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Third Report: Methods for Manufacture of the Segmented Images, Coronal Segmented Images, and Sagittal Segmented Images) / 대한해부학회지

While three dimensional (3D) images of the whole body can be reconstructed by using the serially sectioned images, 3D image of each anatomical structure can be reconstructed by using the segmented images. In this research, outlines of skin, bones, liver, lungs, kidneys, urinary bladder, heart, and brain in the anatomical images were decided to segment, and luminal outlines of digestive tract, respiratory tract, and arteries were decided to segment too. On the Adobe Photoshop, selections were semiautomatically drawn along outlines of the anatomical structures and semiautomatically corrected using magnetic lasso tool. Successively, selections were manually corrected either using lasso tool or through work path. The selections were filled with colors to make segmented images. By stacking rows and columns of the segmented images, coronal and sagittal segmented images were made. The coronal and sagittal segmented images were observed to find incorrect segmented images, which were revised. 8,507 segmented images with 0.2 mm intervals, 3,040x2,008 resolution, 0.2 mm pixel size, and 8 bits color depth were achieved, so that file size of 1 segmented image and 8,507 segmented images was 5.8 Mbytes and 48.3 Gbytes, respectively. These segmented images will be the basis for the development of 3D images of the anatomical structures and software of virtual dissection and virtual endoscopy, which are helpful in studying anatomy and endoscopy.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (First Report: Methods for Embedding and Serial Sectioning) / 대한해부학회지

Serially sectioned images (MR, CT, and anatomical images) of the whole body are helpful in anatomy education because three dimensional images can be reconstructed with the serially sectioned images, and then the three dimensional images can be sectioned and rotated. To make the most important anatomical images of the serially sectioned images, the cadaver's whole body should be embedded, frozen, and serially sectioned to make sectioned surfaces. In this study, to make the sectioned surfaces better than the Visible Human Project dataset, the equipments and techniques have been developed as follows. First, the equipments (embedding box, freezer) and techniques for embedding and freezing of the cadaver's whole body have been developed. Second, the equipments (cryomacrotome) and techniques for serial sectioning of the embedding box at 0.2 mm intervals have been developed. By using these equipments and techniques, the sectioned surfaces with good quality could be made at 0.2 mm intervals. The anatomical images made of the sectioned surfaces will be the basis for making better three dimensional images which are more helpful in anatomy education.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Second Report: Photographing and Processing of the Anatomical Images) / 대한해부학회지

Serially sectioned images (MR, CT, and anatomical images) of the whole body are helpful in anatomy education because three dimensional images can be reconstructed with the serially sectioned images, and then the three dimensional images can be sectioned and rotated. To make the most important anatomical images of serially sectioned images, sectioned surfaces should be inputted into the personal computer after serial sectioning of the cadaver's whole body. In this study, equipments (digital camera and strobes) and techniques for inputting the sectioned surfaces into the personal computer to make anatomical images and for processing the anatomical images have been developed. By using these equipments and techniques, the anatomical images with the actual feature of the sectioned surfaces, the right alignment, and the constant brightness could be made. These anatomical images will be the basis for making good three dimensional images which are helpful in anatomy education.