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
The Glass Horse Project is an innovative interactive program on
CD that uses virtual three-dimensional models to demonstrate normal equine anatomy and simulate the development of diseases.
Developed by a team of veterinarians, computer graphic artists, and an educational technologist, this product uses high quality
graphics to take the viewer inside the body to view internal organs that are the most common sites of debilitating disease and injury.
Understanding complex three-dimensional relationships is one of the
biggest challenges in medicine. The Glass Horse allows users to rotate models and examine spatial relationships among essential tissues.
In addition, animations demonstrate changes over time as organs transform from normal healthy tissues to disease states.
These animations are a significant improvement over traditional educational materials that are limited to images on paper and do not
demonstrate the progression of pathological development. As well as educating veterinary students, this product allows horse owners to
have an increased awareness of diseases and seek early treatment for common ailments.