30 - An Interactive Educational Tool for Exploring Shoulder Anatomy Through Ultrasound
Sunday, March 24, 2024
5:00pm – 7:00pm US EDT
Location: Sheraton Hall
Poster Board Number: 30
There are separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour
Co-authors:
Michael Corrin, BFA, BA, HBSc. MScBMC, CMI - Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Biomedical Communications/Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga; Terry Li, HBSc, MSc, PhD - Assistant Professor, Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba
Student University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Abstract Body : Introduction and Objective: Ultrasound (US) has an increasingly significant role in undergraduate medical curriculum due to its real time visualization of living anatomy and physiology. Currently, there is a lack of standardized US education among Canadian medical schools, and accordingly, limited introductory resources. Challenges such as orienting US planes, translating between 2D images and 3D anatomical relationships, and interpreting structures in grayscale, present a steep learning curve for novice learners. The goal of this project is to enhance undergraduate medical US instruction by creating, evaluating, and sharing a modular, online interactive Sonoanatomy Atlas that covers fundamental US principles, 3D shoulder anatomy, and an US scanning protocol of the shoulder.
Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review and media audit revealed gaps in US educational resources. Content scripts, inventory, and functional and technical requirements were developed and consolidated into wireframes. US images were obtained from healthy volunteers and static illustrations of the sonograms were created using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. A 3D shoulder model, with segmented anatomy sourced from the Visible Human Project, was cleaned, optimized, and textured in Zbrush and Maya. Using biomechanics data, the model was rigged for dynamic movement between anatomical positions. Animations were created using AfterEffects. Iterative prototypes were created and evaluated for content accuracy, and useability. The final atlas will be made available online.
Results: The modularized website integrates user-controlled 2D and 3D interactive components that allow visualization of the interaction between US planes and shoulder anatomy. Instructional animations of procedural US are synchronized with US scans to demonstrate the complex and dynamic anatomy. Full color illustrations of the visualized anatomy in each US scan facilitate development of interpretive skills. User testing will inform iterations of the modular design, interactive elements, and visual displays.
Conclusion: The shoulder module serves as a proof-of-concept for expanding the platform to include other body regions. Ongoing evaluations with students and instructors will assess integration into curriculum, perceived efficacy, website traffic and engagement, and content understanding.
Significance: This Sonoanatomy Atlas addresses a significant resource gap in introductory ultrasound education, harnessing the capacity of imaging anatomy and making it accessible to learners through intentional use of visual media. Additionally, it contributes to the field of biocommunications by visualizing shoulder anatomy in transition states and providing an open-access 3D shoulder model.