PUBLICATION
- TITLE:
- Current Research into the Medical Applications of
StereoSynthesis and Cybersomatic Visualization
- PUBLICATION:
- Proceedings of the Conference
Medicine Meets Virtual Reality
- DATE:
- 1992 (San Diego)
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on preliminary research being carried out at Latent Image Development Corporation (a member of the Digital Media Group) into the medical applications of patented and proprietary media technologies.
The two barriers to the widespread application of Virtual Reality to medicine are the cost of technology and the need for system designs that can be effectively utilized by both patient and physician. StereoSynthesis is Latent Image's patented process to convert 2-D film, video and other material to 3-D. These images can be formatted for any 3-D display system including electronic glasses or VR helmets. Thus, StereoSynthesis provides a path to adapt traditional media (including medical images and other medical data) to Virtual Reality environments.
Therefore, StereoSynthesis is a means to adapt existing diagnostic (see schematic slide from presentation, at left, showing EKG traces "stacked" by this process) and educational images, training videos, and medical illustrations, for 3-D and VR display systems. Adaption, under the right circumstances, can save both time and money. For some applications, 3-D video is an inexpensive and effective substitute for full VR immersion. The `3-D computer paint system' developed to implement StereoSynthesis provides a means for traditionally trained medical illustrators to participate in 3-D and VR presentations.
These new application and interface designs, and the corresponding software support, provide a more flexible and user-oriented form of Virtual Reality technology. CyberSomatic Visualization (see second schematic slide, at left, from presentation depicting how a "CyberBody" is used to depict the location and "quality" of patient's pain) is a result of using these techniques in medical applications and provides: a more efficient and extended dialogue between patient and physician; enhancements to current medical procedures; and, entirely new forms of computer-assisted and computer-mediated therapy, which are discussed in the paper.
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Revision: August 1995 - All text, graphic and design elements TM & (c) 1995 David M. Geshwind
StereoSynthesis, CyberBody and CyberSomatic Visualization TM David M. Geshwind
David M. Geshwind - DIGITAL MEDIA GROUP, LTD.
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