Virtual reality for skin exploration

Abstract

Background: We have developed and set up the SkinExplorerTM platform, a new tool to exploit and rebuild serial confocal images into 3D numerical models [1, 2]. The acquisitions using confocal microscopy allow visualizing cutaneous components as elastic fibers, melanocytes and keratinocytes etc... These diversified sources of data participate to create numerical 3D volume models with high quality of visualization. Objective: To create a Virtual Reality (VR) experience, to communicate and change the perception of skin structures by virtualization mode.Methods: The use of ART TRACKPACK system and ART SMARTTRACK device allow us to valorize new sensory images for the volumetric rendering of the 3D skin models. Results: We increase the perception and the understanding of skin components organization. Conclusion: The SkinExplorerTM platform seems to be a promising system for exploring the skin.Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and or a fee. Copyright 2013 ACM.