Virtual Eye and Virtual House

Imagine yourself as a tiny observer inside the human eye. The UIC three-dimensional virtual model of an eye presents an immersive experience that allows a user to virtually enter the eye to gain an understanding of anatomy and common eye diseases. Features such as the ability to scale, rotate, and view the model from any angle allow for increased comprehension of this complex structure.
The ability to see pathology that occurs with ocular diseases allows observers to gain an appreciation for changes that happen within the eye and how those changes affect vision. In addition, animations demonstrate some dynamic processes within the eye, such as the flow of aqueous humor.
A companion virtual model of a common scene (interior of a house) shows defects in the visual field that are associated with ocular pathology. This model allows people to recognize and "virtually" experience changes in vision that happen with glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The realism of the model emphasizes the extent to which eye diseases interfere with normal vision and the difficulties encountered by people with visual defects.
Advances in computer technology allow this educational tool to be demonstrated with the use of affordable consumer projectors, inexpensive polarized glasses, a portable P.C. computer, and a large portable screen.

A Dynamic Approach to
Learning Respiratory Physiology

On the website for Respiratory Physiology, the slider (above) allows the user to see the motion of the rib cage on inspiration and expiration. The pump handle and bucket demonstrate analogies for movement from the lateral and anterior views.

This website, which accompanies a traditional textbook, teaches the most abstract and complex concepts in respiratory physiology. Unique and understandable models capture the essence of physiological principles. With the ability to manipulate models, users gain a solid understanding of subjects that often take many years to appreciate. The website contains models, animations, and visual representations of equations. The significance of these extraordinary learning tools is that improved understanding of physiological concepts leads to the ability to provide better healthcare.

3D Computer Generated Anatomical Libary

Visible Productions creates unique anatomical models based on the National Library of Medicine's Visible Human dataset. Three-dimensional models are constructed from MRI and CT scans. Models can be rotated and include internal anatomy as well as external anatomy. Some applications of the models allow viewers to see anatomical structures from the inside. The addition of motion allows the viewer to have the sensation of traveling through structures such as the airways. These models have been used in numerous applications where anatomical accuracy is of primary importance.

On the right, a wireframe model of the heart, partially rendered.