Heartworks launched by Glassworks

Virtual Heart:
Through a chance meeting at a dinner party 2 years ago, Glassworks were asked to create a Virtual Heart Simulator that allows the user to interact with an animated, realistic, anatomically accurate, 'virtual' 3D model of the heart in real time. The brief required the operator to be able to control the orientation of the heart and make planar slices in any orientation through the heart on the computer screen. From these slices the operator would be able to show the anatomical relationships between the various internal and external structures of the heart.

This Simulator would produce a real-time rendition of a photo-realistic computer graphics heart that could be sliced interracially on any plain and produce a completely authentic graphic ultrasonic representation of that plain instantly.

During development it became clear that the accuracy of the 3D model and the quality of the real time render engine combined, would have far wider benefits than originally envisaged. It could be used for transoesophageal as well as conventional echocardiography teaching purposes, for angiography, cardiac surgery and a great variety of other applications in anatomy and education.

A critical aspect of learning skills in perioperative TOE is a solid understanding of the detailed anatomy of the heart. Currently teaching of the relevant anatomy is hampered by the lack of an accurate model of the heart with which to demonstrate important detail.

Training in TOE is currently undertaken from text-books and stored video clips. Training in image acquisition (and interpretation) is derived from supervised scanning of patients. This is extremely labour intensive and the patient necessarily spends extra time being scanned using a technique which, although low risk, is not risk free.

After 2 years hard work and as a result of the combined efforts of the very best computer graphics modellers textures and animators together with the most eminent doctors, surgeons and anatomists as well as cardiologists, ultrasonographers and radiologists specialising in cardiac imaging, our computer graphics heart model is of a much higher standard than any other available today with every aspect of detail being checked by a number of different specialists.

Three members of the Glassworks team went and witnessed a live open-heart operation so as to get reference images and a true experience of what a beating heart looked like. This attention to detail, accuracy and the collective expertise of the individuals involved partnered with real time interactivity makes it an extremely impressive educational tool.

We envisage that the applications of such a model reach into all aspects of teaching, within both academic cardiac anatomy and all clinical cardiological spheres, worldwide.

Further developments of the project include a full size human torso together with a full size probe control unit. The probe can be inserted into the torso's oesophagus and through motion detection and encoding the probe controls and insertion depth controls the software making the experience extremely authentic.

Additionally, plans are now underway to begin work on other major organs.

Click here to visit the Heartworks website »

Click here to read an article about Heartworks published in the Times newspaper » .