Vologram: Educational Craftworks for Volume Physicalization

Information

• Publication Type: Master Thesis
• Workgroup(s)/Project(s):
  • Visualization Group
• Date: 2020-22-24
• Date (Start): 12. January 2020
• Date (End): 24. November 2020
• Second Supervisor: Hsiang-Yun Wu
• Diploma Examination: 29. November 2020
• Open Access: yes
• First Supervisor: Eduard Gröller
• Pages: 131
• Keywords: Phyiscalizations, Anatomy Education

Abstract

Long before the onset of computer technology, anatomical sculptures were already used for educational purposes. Digital imaging technology and its incorporation into the clinical workflow through the advancements of medical visualization led to a steady decline in the use of sculpture-based teaching aids. Currently, anatomical volume visualizations are predominantly presented on computer screens. Recent developments in augmented, mixed, and virtual reality o˙er new, exciting ways to digitally display medical imaging data. In recent years, the application of real-world sculptures to display patient imaging data has seen a resurgence through the field of data physicalization. Predominantly, it has been used to enhance the education of medical personnel and laymen through the use of physical models. Expensive 3D printing technology is often employed in the creation of high fidelity anatomical sculptures, with realistic look-and-feel. However, few approaches make use of a˙ordable physicalizations in the field of layman anatomical education. In the course of this thesis di˙erent ways to introduce self-made, custom physical-izations into layman medical education are explored. We propose a suitable concept, the Vologram, to display medical volume data in a visually appealing way for medical non-experts. This takes the form of slide-based sculptures, made out of a˙ordable ma-terials available to the general public with a high degree of interactivity, and can be produced through commonly available means. To support a customizable workflow in the creation of these sculptures, we provide a stand-alone desktop application, which allows layman users to create custom educational sculptures. Real medical imaging data can be filtered and displayed in di˙erent ways, delivering optically diverse results. We evaluate the concept in a small scale study, to determine the e˙ect of interactive medical visualizations as opposed to physicalizations on the target audience. The results of this study point to a great potential for the application of interactive educational concepts for layman anatomical education.

Additional Files and Images

Weblinks

• Entry in reposiTUm (TU Wien Publication Database)
• DOI: 10.34726/hss.2021.79540

BibTeX

@mastersthesis{Pahr2020,
  title =      "Vologram: Educational Craftworks for Volume Physicalization",
  author =     "Daniel Pahr",
  year =       "2020-22-24",
  abstract =   "Long before the onset of computer technology, anatomical
               sculptures were already used for educational purposes.
               Digital imaging technology and its incorporation into the
               clinical workflow through the advancements of medical
               visualization led to a steady decline in the use of
               sculpture-based teaching aids. Currently, anatomical volume
               visualizations are predominantly presented on computer
               screens. Recent developments in augmented, mixed, and
               virtual reality o˙er new, exciting ways to digitally
               display medical imaging data. In recent years, the
               application of real-world sculptures to display patient
               imaging data has seen a resurgence through the field of data
               physicalization. Predominantly, it has been used to enhance
               the education of medical personnel and laymen through the
               use of physical models. Expensive 3D printing technology is
               often employed in the creation of high fidelity anatomical
               sculptures, with realistic look-and-feel. However, few
               approaches make use of a˙ordable physicalizations in the
               field of layman anatomical education. In the course of this
               thesis di˙erent ways to introduce self-made, custom
               physical-izations into layman medical education are
               explored. We propose a suitable concept, the Vologram, to
               display medical volume data in a visually appealing way for
               medical non-experts. This takes the form of slide-based
               sculptures, made out of a˙ordable ma-terials available to
               the general public with a high degree of interactivity, and
               can be produced through commonly available means. To support
               a customizable workflow in the creation of these sculptures,
               we provide a stand-alone desktop application, which allows
               layman users to create custom educational sculptures. Real
               medical imaging data can be filtered and displayed in
               di˙erent ways, delivering optically diverse results. We
               evaluate the concept in a small scale study, to determine
               the e˙ect of interactive medical visualizations as opposed
               to physicalizations on the target audience. The results of
               this study point to a great potential for the application of
               interactive educational concepts for layman anatomical
               education.",
  month =      ,
  pages =      "131",
  address =    "Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E193-02, A-1040 Vienna, Austria",
  school =     "Research Unit of Computer Graphics, Institute of Visual
               Computing and Human-Centered Technology, Faculty of
               Informatics, TU Wien",
  keywords =   "Phyiscalizations, Anatomy Education",
  URL =        "https://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/publications/2020/Pahr2020/",
}