NGI Applications
Two teaching applications and a local NGI testbed network for evaluating their effectiveness are underway. The first application supports instruction in human anatomy and the second, the performance of basic surgical manipulations. The anatomic subject selected for use is the human hand. The local NGI testbed is a network of 10 base T, with links to outside networks that are extensible upon demand.Both applications will support synchronous collaboration through a shared virtual workspace and will use haptic feedback to augment the visual sense. This technology will permit the definition of new curricular elements including the repeated dissection of anatomical structures, the visual segmentation of raw data sets, the creation of 3D organ models, and the practice of fundamental surgical maneuvers. Through the unique capabilities of the NGI we anticipate that a wide community of teachers and users will, through a distributed client-server system, share on-line, image-rich data and professional experiences.
ÝTo accomplish these applications, we will develop two teaching tools, the Anatomy Workbench for viewing and manipulating anatomical media resources and the Surgical Skills Workbench for simulating basic surgical maneuvers. By workbench, we imply a workspace with a variety of tools, both real and virtual, for accomplishing specific tasks. The innovative contribution of these applications lies in the integration of 3D visualization, haptic feedback, computationally intensive support algorithms, and rich media over a scalable network-based client-server architecture.
The Anatomy Workbench will be a single point of entry to a repository of data and images, including dissection photos, radiological images, CT and MRI volumetric studies, live or stored video of surgical procedures, and dynamic 3D anatomical models. This application will allow users to work with these resources through combination and derivation, rather than only viewing. For example, users will be able to segment volumetric data, such as those from the Visible Human Project, to produce 3D models or to manipulate combinations of models in a dynamic simulation.
The Surgical Skills Workbench will utilize 3D models created by using the Anatomy Work-bench, and will introduce haptic feedback of biomechanical properties, to produce simulations of basic surgical manipulations and procedures. This application will allow users to learn and practice the eye-hand coordination skills necessary for accurate and efficient performance in real-life surgical situations.Ý
These applications will be based on a multi-tiered architecture consisting of client-, server-, and middle-ware based components that will foster productive collaboration through the creation of shared working environment.Ý The architecture will be based on an adaptive ultra-thin client concept where all computationally expensive tasks are performed on a shared server. This architecture will require the bandwidth, quality-of-service, data-privacy, and collaborative capabilities of the NGI to deliver low-cost, real-time simulation and visualization technologies to a diverse audience.
We will assess the performance and effectiveness of this new, advanced type of learning environment by creating a local NGI testbed network within the Stanford School of Medicine that will link selected classrooms, laboratories, clinical departments, and the medical library using a high-speed gigabit Ethernet backbone. The heart of the NGI testbed will consist of a new 3D Learning Space and connected classrooms where students will learn anatomy and basic surgical skills using 3D workstations, haptic devices, stereoscopic displays, distributed rich media databases, and application program servers. We will evaluate the testbed and the applications from both a cost-benefit perspective and a pedagogic viewpoint.
We will perform measurements to determine whether the bandwidth and quality-of-service requirements can be satisfied, and if not, make recommendations as to how they may be delivered in a future NGI implementation.Ý We believe that this proposed integration of voice, video, and interactive 3D applications onto a common Internet medium will lead to unprecedented utilization of these disparate information sources and will facilitate tele-collaboration, tele-mentoring, and tele-assessment.