Updated: Apr 27, 1999
This is the most recent structured information on this project. Complementary data can be found on previous documents
IAEVA A distributed multimedia database and environment for virtual ‘’walks’’ of  3D models of human organs.

Overview

Three-dimensional anatomic models of human organs from Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) is now well established technology. These models are available for viewing and for manipulation, such as rotation and dissection, only on highly expensive imaging systems. The aim of IAEVA is to give such an availability on PCs through a service which will provide a reference library of 3D models, continuously updated with normal and pathological models of human organs. This service will operate at a Pan-European scale using existing and available European network infrastructure. The service will be available not only over high speed expensive connections but over low and medium network lines. It will allow retrieval of solid models, even with low speed network lines, at response times that will be acceptable for all perspective users. This constitutes the main design decision of the consortium which is to keep the cost of using the service low, thus opening it up to the largest possible range of users.

Purpose and objectives

One of the  most important results of advances in computer graphics for the biological sciences is the capability of analysing and studying organic systems through more and more lifelike, intuitive and interactive 3D displays, which reasonably approximate the original three dimensional anatomical contexts. A fourth dimension can even be added to the processed information, integrating functional data (physiology) to structural data (anatomy), and somewhat viewed in 3D displays, for instance with pseudo color coding and/or animation.
3D anatomical views from Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) are  now based on well established technology and physiological 2D and 3D mapping from PET, bioelectrical and biomagnetic signals are becoming available.
Many computer based successful applications for diagnostics and patient care have emphasised image presentation tools that were useful and brought to decrease of the cost of care and to replacement of dangerously invasive and expensive procedures. Improved diagnostic confidence will make early therapy possible, which will further establish computer graphics as advantage to patient care. The general  user need is, therefore, that computer graphics and medical imaging basic knowledge become more and more common, extending practice to specialists and general practitioners as much as possible. The best way to comply with such general need is to implement a reference library, which will therefore address to specific user needs for diagnostic help and educational purposes. To satisfy such user needs, the service which will be based on the results of this project and on their further developments aims at giving a relevant contribution to diffusion of knowledge and utilization of 3D and 4D computer imaging, by supporting diagnostics, patient care and educational activities, through a distributed servers database with sophisticated query and graphics client applications.
The service in its final configuration will be based on a continuously updated database, implementing a reference library of anatomical and functional views of human healthy and pathological organs and of their computer graphics 3D and 4D representations. It will be used both as a diagnostic help and continuous training tool for professionals and as a computer assisted educational tool for students.

Results

The perspective users of the service are medical students, medical professionals and people having an interest in medical science. The service will provide to all users a search mechanism and client software for finding (in a way transparent to the information  physical location), viewing and manipulating  (rotation, zooming and dissection) solid models of organs. The search mechanism will have different  modalities optimised in order to serve the needs of each aforementioned  user category.

List of deliverables

Year 1

- User’s Requirement document (2/P)
- State of the art report in 3D visualisation in medicine - Graphics Standards and file formats. (3/P)
- Analysis Design and Functional Specification Document (5/R)
- Quality Assurance Plan Document (5/R)
- SMP Software (8/R)
- SOV Software (12/P)
- DCM Module (12/R)

Year 2

- Alpha Version of  the WEB Server (15/R)
- Resource Manager (16/R)
- WEB Alplha Testing Document (16/R)
- Service Data (18/R)
- Beta Testing Document (18/R)
- System Integration Procedures  Report (20/R)
- User’s Report (20/P)
- Exploitation  Plan (24/R)

List of participants

Dr.Ing. Giuliano Salcito
CITEC   S.p.A.
Via Alessandro Farnese 3
00192 Rome
Italy
Tel: +39/6/3216693/+39/338/7247545
Fax: +39/6/36000949
E-mail : gsalcito@mail.nexus.it

Dr. Nickos Vasilonikolidakis
Neuroware Ltd
24 Kofidou Str
142 31 Athens
Greece
Tel: +30/1/2715-672
Fax: +30/1/2719-943
E-mail : nikvas@neuro.ath.forthnet.gr

Dr. Gordon Clapworthy
De Montfort University
Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Hammerwood Gate
Kents Hill
Milton Keynes,
MK7  6HP - Buckinghamshire
UK
Tel: +44/1908/834931
Fax: +44/1908/834948
E-mail : gc@dmu.ac.uk

Dr. Michele Crudele
Libero Istituto Universitario Campus Bio-Medico
Via Longoni 83
00155 Rome
Italy
Tel: +39/6/22541360
Fax: +39/6/22541456
E-mail : crudele@liucbm.it

Dr. Panos Soupos
Byte Computer S.A
8 El. Venizelou
176 76 Athens
Greece
Tel: +30/1/9241728
Fax: +30/1/9244084
E-mail : psoupos@byte.gr

Prof. Christos Kittas
University of Athens, Dept. of Histology and Embryology
75 Mikras Asias Str
116 10 Athens 
Greece
Tel: +30/1/7796425
Fax: +30/1/7790353
E-mail : ckittas@atlas.uoa.gr

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