A Tool for Collaborative Anatomical Dissection

3D reconstruction from anatomical slices permits anatomists to create three-dimensional depictions of real structures by tracing organs from sequences of cryosections. A wide variety of tools for 3D reconstruction from anatomical slices are becoming available for use in training and study. In this chapter, we present Anatomy Studio, a collaborative Mixed Reality tool for virtual dissection that combines tablets with styli and see-through head-mounted displays to assist anatomists by easing manual tracing and exploring cryosection images. By using mid-air interactions and interactive surfaces, anatomists can easily access any cryosection and edit contours, while following other user’s contributions. A user study including experienced anatomists and medical professionals, conducted in real working sessions, demonstrates that Anatomy Studio is appropriate and useful for 3D reconstruction. Results indicate that Anatomy Studio encourages closely coupled collaborations and group discussion, to achieve deeper insights.