Surgical and Anatomical Visualization: What Actually Works
3D anatomy and procedure visuals used in training, patient education and clinical communication.
Imogen Clarke
What is at stake
Anatomical accuracy is the whole point, and errors in this work mislead clinicians and patients.
The playbook
- Work from verified anatomical references
- Have clinicians review every stage
- Label simplifications clearly
- De-identify any patient imaging used
- Keep versions with reviewer sign-off
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Anatomy built from memory
- Patient scans used without de-identification
- Procedure steps shown out of order
- Publishing without clinical review
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Source data | models can be built from imaging data or reference anatomy |
| Review | clinical review is essential |
| Simplification | teaching visuals simplify, and must say so |
| Patient data | imaging data is protected health information |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when visuals support clinical education.
Where this comes from
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — HIPAA for professionals
- Blender Foundation — Blender Manual: Modeling
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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Where to go next
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