2002, Immersion Medical
AccuTouch® Endoscopy Simulator

The AccuTouch Endoscopy® Simulator exemplifies the values of the Netter Award for Special Contributions to Medical Education and Practice by revolutionizing medical training whereby a realistic simulated environment makes it possible to practice complex medical procedures on a computer rather than on a person. It allows healthcare providers to gain experience conducting endoscopic procedures without causing any risks to patients and avoids experimentation on animals. As the use of complex, minimally invasive medical procedures continues to rise, simulators that can accurately reproduce the tactile sensations of these procedures will play an increasingly important role in medical training.
The AccuTouch® Endoscopy Simulator addresses the need for accurate, safe, economical and efficient training methods. Recent studies indicate that physician error causes medical complications, increased healthcare costs and sometimes death. Allowing healthcare providers to practice on a simulator can reduce the incidence of these problems. Simulators permit trainees to practice in a calm environment where they can become competent in their skills before performing procedures in real-life situations.
The Frank Netter Award recognizes products that are innovative and change the way healthcare information is perceived. Through the use of superior, realistic graphics and sensory feedback, this endoscopy simulator provides an unsurpassed learning environment. The trainee interacts with the same instrument that is used in clinical settings. The simulator responds to the learner's actions in realistic ways by generating reactions based upon use of the equipment. Tissues change visibly and respond to interactions with the user. Not only does the simulated patient complain if there is discomfort, but internal structures show evidence of bruising and bleeding. Additional visual references provide valuable educational information. Furthermore, an evaluation report documents user performance. The AccuTouch® Endoscopy Simulator adheres to the highest standards of instructional design and meets the high qualifications for recognition of a product that has significant impact on the way healthcare information is taught.

Time Life Medical Video Series

At a time when people are spending less and less time talking with their physicians, these video tapes on the most common healthcare problems help people understand a diagnosis and how to deal with the issues facing them.
Superb illustrations such as the synapse illustrated here enable viewers to gain a clear understanding of complex topics that are abstract and difficult to understand without the aid of images.
The Time Life Medical series of video tapes helps patients understand their diagnosis and what is happening inside their bodies. It also provides information about how a diagnosis is made. A variety of health professionals provide information on how a particular disease may cause changes in day-to-day life. The video presents options for treatment which patients can discuss with their doctors. Frequently asked questions are answered. These tapes provide information that empower people to make intelligent decisions about their healthcare.

Virtual Temporal Bone Project

The goal of the Virtual Temporal Bone Project developed in the Virtual Reality in Medicine Lab at the University of Illinois in Chicago was to develop an educational system that is optimum for communicating the complex three-dimensional spatial relationships of the structures of the middle and inner ear.
Virtual reality using the ImersaDesk system, supports enhanced three-dimensional perception through the use of stereo and viewer-centered perspectives. Networking support was built into the system to allow a master otologic surgeon in one location to instruct and interact with students anywhere in the networked world.

The Machinery of Life

The Machinery of Life provides a tour of the submicroscopic world of all living things and reveals some of the mysteries that result in the magic of our existence.
In this book described by Scientific American as "impressive and most original," author and illustrator, David Goodsell, PhD provides a unique documentation of the structures in the cell. Goodsell's presentation of information changes how we perceive the cell - he allows the learner to develop a complete and accurate understanding of the structure and function of macromolecules that carry out life functions. Painstaking documentation of the location, size and concentration of subcellular components allows the author/illustrator to demonstrate not only the anatomy, but also the physiological processes that occur within the body.
While the text is written for the non-scientist, the accuracy is designed to satisfy the biochemist. Effective illustrations drawn to scale facilitate understanding complex concepts and relationships.

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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.

The Glass Horse Project