J Korean Med Sci.  2017 Jul;32(7):1195-1201. 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.7.1195.

Improved Software to Browse the Serial Medical Images for Learning

• Kwon K
• Chung MS
• Park JS
• Shin BS
• Chung BS

• KMID: 2379617
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2017.32.7.1195

Abstract

The thousands of serial images used for medical pedagogy cannot be included in a printed book; they also cannot be efficiently handled by ordinary image viewer software. The purpose of this study was to provide browsing software to grasp serial medical images efficiently. The primary function of the newly programmed software was to select images using 3 types of interfaces: buttons or a horizontal scroll bar, a vertical scroll bar, and a checkbox. The secondary function was to show the names of the structures that had been outlined on the images. To confirm the functions of the software, 3 different types of image data of cadavers (sectioned and outlined images, volume models of the stomach, and photos of the dissected knees) were inputted. The browsing software was downloadable for free from the homepage (anatomy.co.kr) and available off-line. The data sets provided could be replaced by any developers for their educational achievements. We anticipate that the software will contribute to medical education by allowing users to browse a variety of images.

Keyword

Visible Human Projects; Cadaver; Anatomy; Body Image; Computer Software

MeSH Terms

Body Image
Cadaver
Dataset
Education, Medical
Educational Status
Hand Strength
Learning*
Stomach
Teaching
Visible Human Projects

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Initial views of the 2 new browsing software packages. (A) The software shows horizontal sectioned image with the x-axis represented by the 3 buttons. The image file shown in the initial view is named “1_851.png.” The “1” indicates the first button (male whole body), and “851” indicates the 851st sectioned image. (B) The software shows stomach volume model with the x-axis as the scroll bar. The image file shown in the initial view is named “0_0.png,” where the first “0” indicates 0 degrees of rotation and the second “0” indicates the volume model with no peeling or piling.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of previous and new software that automatically label the names of the outlined structures of 3 cadavers. (A, B, C) Male whole body. (D, E, F) Male head. (G, H, I) Female pelvis. (A, D, G) Previous software to simultaneously show the sectioned and color-filled images. (B, E, H) New software to show the sectioned images when the checkbox is off. (C, F, I) New software to show the color-filled images when the checkbox is on.

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  Fig. 3 Comparison of previous and new software that show the volume models and sectioned images of stomach. (A, B, C) Posterior view of stomach. (D, E, F) Anterior view of stomach. (G, H, I) Anterior view of piled stomach. (A, D, G) Previous software to simultaneously show the volume models and the sectioned image of the stomach. (B, E, H) New software to alternatively show the volume models when the checkbox is off. (C, F, I) New software to alternatively show the sectioned image when the checkbox is on.

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  Fig. 4 Comparison of previous and new software that show cadaveric knees. (A, B) Slightly dissected knee of embalmed cadaver. (C, D) Much dissected knee of embalmed cadaver. (E, F) Flexed knee of embalmed cadaver. (G, H) Flexed knee of fresh cadaver. (A, C, E, G) Previous software. (B, D, F, H) New software.

• 

  Fig. 5 Experimental software to show the sectioned images of 3 cadavers with the x-axis scroll bar. (A) Male whole body. (B) Male head. (C) Female pelvis.

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