The Visible Ear Simulator webpage

Velcome to the Visible Ear Simulator project web page. here you will find information about the project and it will also host an updated online manual to the program.

 

Introduction

The Visible Ear simulator is a project initiated by Mads Sølvsten Sørensen aiming to create a virtual tool for the training and planning of drilling procedures in the temporal bone. The Simulator is based on the ”Visible Ear Dataset” created by Mads Sølvsten and his team which contains over 500 high-resolution images obtained by cryosectioning of a fresh frozen donated specimen. In addition to the images a hand segmentation of all relevant features has been produced.

 

 

A sample image from the Visible ear

The images have been used to generate a 3-d volumetric representation of the different parts of the ear. With a Phantom Omni haptic device and a standard pc, the user can enjoy an interactive view of the ear in real-time. The selected visualization technology in combination with high quality data provide a presentation in true colors and high detail. This is intended to allow the user to identify and interact with the different segments, such as mastoid bone, sigmoid sinus, dura and the facial nerve, and create a realistic experience that will be useful in the training for real life surgery. The Visible Ear Simulator project is a result of a cooperation between the Alexandra Institute and Rigshopitalet, University of Copenhagen.

Data set and medical supervision : Mads Sølvsten Sørensen (Danish National Hospital)
Programming : Peter Trier Mikkelsen (Alexandra Institute)
3d modeling : Dargur Balisager(CAVI)