An advanced modality of visualization and interaction with virtual models of the human body

Abstract

The developed system is the first prototype of a virtual interface designed to avoid contact with the computer so that the surgeon is able to visualize models of the patient's organs more effectively during surgical procedure. In particular, the surgeon will be able to rotate, to translate and to zoom in on 3D models of the patient's organs simply by moving his finger in free space; in addition, it is possible to choose to visualize all of the organs or only some of them. All of the interactions with the models happen in real-time using the virtual interface which appears as a touch-screen suspended in free space in a position chosen by the user when the application is started up. Finger movements are detected by means of an optical tracking system and are used to simulate touch with the interface and to interact by pressing the buttons present on the virtual screen. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.