First-year students at NYU School of Medicine were introduced to a
pioneering online 3D interactive virtual human body called the
BioDigital HumanTM. This unique educational experience
supplements the traditional use of human cadavers in anatomy instruction
by allowing students to both view and interact with realistically
simulated 3D organs and other anatomical structures. This technology is
just one way NYU School of Medicine provides its students cutting-edge,
web-based learning environments to break the lockstep of traditional
medical education.
Anatomy students view the life-size digital content displayed on a
projector screen in NYU School of Medicine’s anatomy lab using
sophisticated consumer-grade 3D glasses. They also use laboratory iPads
to magnify and explore the models in great detail. Similar to
experiencing a 3D film, viewing the graphics stereoscopically provides
the illusion of depth and greater appreciation for the 3D models and
their relationship to each other. This immersive, virtual reality set-up
is an unprecedented 3D anatomy installation at NYU School of Medicine
and is now available to its students and faculty. The 3D models of human
anatomy were developed by NYU School of Medicine’s Division of
Educational Informatics and BioDigital Systems LLC, then packaged and
deployed in the BioDigital Human platform.