Medical Physics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Medical Physics, including details on medicine, radiotherapy, biomechanics, medical imaging.

Biomedical image visualization research using the Visible Human Datasets.

Robb RA, Hanson DP

Biomedical Imaging Resource, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. rar@mayo.edu

The practice of medicine and conduct of research in major segments of the biologic sciences have always relied on visualizations to study the relationship of anatomic structure to biologic function. Traditionally, these visualizations have either been direct, via vivisection and postmortem examination, or have required extensive mental reconstruction. The revolutionary capabilities of 3-D and 4-D medical imaging modalities, together with computer reconstruction and rendering of multidimensional medical and histological volume image data, obviate the need for physical dissection or abstract assembly. The availability of the Visible Human Datasets from the National Library of Medicine, coupled with the development of advanced computer algorithms to accurately and rapidly process, segment, register, measure, and display high resolution 3-D images, has provided a rich opportunity to help advance these important new imaging, visualization, and analysis methodologies from scientific theory to clinical practice.

Published 3 April 2006 in Clin Anat, 19(3): 240-53.
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