JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Medical education continues to face challenges relative to teaching complex human cardiac anatomy to a broad range of learners, especially in the subject of congenital heart defects. Traditional educational methods, such as cadaver dissection, textbooks and the study of human specimens, all face some limitations; e.g, such as specimen availability and student comfort. Employing newer technologies, like virtual reality (VR) offer a more profound learning experience for learners and mentors.

Objective:

To develop an immersive VR application that enhances the teaching of congenital heart defects (CHDs)

Methods:

Anonymized CT scans of patient heart images were used to create high-fidelity 3D cardiac models; employing Materialise Mimics Core and 3-matic Medical. These models were next integrated into an Unity powered VR application, designed for meta quest devices. Generated features, included: interactive 3D models, dynamic visualizations, and multiplayer functionalities for real time collaborative learning.

Results:

Our VR application allowed users to interact with detailed 3D models of both cyanotic and acyanotic CHDs. Developed features include, allowing the user to generate multiplanar cuts and real time multiplayer visualization for collaborative teaching.

Conclusions:

Our VR application offers innovative approaches for the teaching of complex cardiac anatomy including those of patients presenting with a CHD. Future work should focus on more readily available AI integrations for mobile devices and also adding more hearts and organs models, as well as performing long-term efficacy studies.