Collaborative Augmented Reality Environment For Liver Visualization

Visualizing of the complex structure of liver is important in training for surgeons. While 3D physical model is good for discussions and sharing of knowledge, the model can be highly complicated and expensive to make, especially if it has to reveal soft tissues, bones and vessels and their connections, and different cross-sectional views. Also, physical model requires physical presence of participants, which makes remote collaboration difficult. In this paper, we will demonstrate a system for collaborative augmented reality, in which participants with stereoscopic video-see-through head-mounted displays can see a shared virtual space with 3D virtual liver. Through a tangible device, participants can dissect, manipulate and add annotations to the virtual liver to communicate more effectively with others. In case when participants are separated physically, they can also supplement with audio communications.