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| 3D virtual model MRI view of fetus at 26 weeks.Photo credit: Image courtesy of Radiological Society of North America |
- New technology combines MRI and Ultrasound data into a 3-D virtual reality model of a fetus.
- The models are very similar to what the baby will look like after birth and can create any internal fetal organ replica to perfection.
- Wearing a virtual reality headset, the parents can hear the baby’s heartbeat and see the anatomy.
Parents may
now be able to see their unborn babies developing in realistic 3-D
immersive visualizations. This is made possible because of efforts of team of
Brazilian researchers said Heron Werner Jr, MD, PhD, from the Clínica de
Diagnóstico por Imagem in Rio de Janeiro.
The study
was presented at the Radiological Society of North America 2016 Annual Meeting
in Chicago on November 30,2016.[i]
“The 3-D
fetal models combined with virtual reality immersive technologies may improve
our understanding of fetal anatomical characteristics and can be used for
educational purposes and as a method for parents to visualize their unborn
baby,” said study co-author Heron Werner Jr., M.D., Ph.D., from the Clínica de
Diagnóstico por Imagem, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The new technology
transforms MRI and ultrasound data into a 3-D virtual reality model of a fetus.
The construction of 3D accurate virtual model starts with the MRI scanning slices
that are than sequentially stitched together to form a 3-D image. The physician
decides the organ or body part he wants to visualize and that part
is reconstructed including the uterus, placenta, umbilical cord and fetus.
At the
beginning of the study the researchers scanned 6 mm "slices" and
put them together, now they scan 1mm slices improving the resolution and producing
more clear pictures.
The Virtual
reality 3-D model is very similar to what a baby would look like after
delivery. The doctors can create a very detailed structure of every organ of
the fetal body.
Werner and colleagues turned to the
latest-generation Oculus Rift 2 (Oculus) headset to be used as the virtual reality
viewing device. The parents don the
device to interact with the baby in this very real immersive sensory
environment. Adding the heartbeat by the use of headphone brings them further
close to the baby. Users can simply move
their heads to study 3D fetal anatomy close-up.
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| Oculus device headset |
"The
experience with the Oculus Rift has been wonderful," Werner said. "It
provides fetal images that are sharper and clearer than ultrasound and MR
images viewed on a traditional display."
The
virtual reality model has an array of potential applications, including detection
of important structural malformations like cardiac and respiratory. It can also
be of great help in cases requiring intrauterine surgeries. Using the models
the team can simulate the surgeries in virtual reality.
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| https://3dprint.com |
"We
think this is especially interesting for training novice endoscopic surgeons."
Dr Werner said.
"We believe that these images
will help facilitate a multidisciplinary discussion about some pathologies, in
addition to bringing a new experience for parents when following the development
of their unborn child." said Dr. Werner.
Currently Dr Werner is working on many
projects including creating models to study trisomy 11 and trisomy 18
syndromes, ZIKA syndrome.
The researchers have already used the
technique in many cases in Rio that required postnatal surgeries. They are
hoping for a broader use of the technology in near future.
Not everyone is ready to jump on the virtual
reality 3-D visualizations. Some doctors still prefer the 3D-printed models with
a hands-on experience.
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