3D on the Brain

So, some of us have 3D on the brain. However, some of us construct interactive 3D models of the brain. Well... at least the cranial nerves. Created by a talented 3D artist, Kieran Meek, and vetted by doctors to ensure accuracy, the eHuman Cranial Nerves iPhone app rocks. (And I'm not just saying that because I work there...) In any case, I believe that this app can speak for itself.

"Learning the 12 cranial nerves and the foramen in the base of the skull are an essential component of every anatomy course; all health professionals, anatomists, biology students and anthropologists have had to memorize their names and functions. Our app allows students to enjoy learning the nerves and foramen in a highly visual, interactive environment. The models are reconstructed from a high resolution CT scan, and the user can control the position and transparency of the skull and each nerve. Accompanying textual information is just a tap away."

Solid view

Semi-Transparent view

As stated in the image... Selection Mode


And an example of the information pages

If you have $5 to spare (and an iPhone or iPod Touch) you should pick it up just based on pure 3D awesomeness. Even if you don't have the $5, bring lunch from home one day and buy the app instead :).

(although this post may just be proof I shouldn't update at 1am. I know the bad pun at the top is...)

Meet the new "Working Me"

Soooo... with the advent of my internship and then subsequent job at eHuman, I have been beyond busy. I don't think they've invented a word that actually covers how much work I'm doing. Which I am not allowed to post. There's this whole 'non-disclosure' agreement companies make you sign...

In any case, I can post things that have been released into the wild, so to speak. So, here are some images I generated in OsiriX for a mummy that was recently scanned at Stanford. Some are !gasp! actually being used in print. (which I am actually incredibly giddy about...)

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are putting on the Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine exhibit.

"Archaeology meets technology in this small-scale exhibition exploring the scientific examination of mummies and providing new insights into the conditions under which the Egyptians lived. Included is the sarcophagus and mummy of Irethorrou, a priest from Egypt around 500 B.C. His mummy has undergone a CT-scan that allows a unique viewing experience of a three-dimensional “fly through” of the body and a forensic reconstruction of his head."

Here are some images from their flicker archive of the transport of the mummy.

Being scanned by a 'c-arm' scanner at the Stanford Hospital.

Checking out the incoming images.

Meeting Irethorrou close up. He was a priest in Egypt from about 500 B.C.

And now, to meet him internally as well.... Here is a sampling of the OsiriX images that I generated.

A full body request - although the arms were not attached to this version of the scan. Because of the size, the mummy was scanned in multiple parts and then stitched together by the wonderful Robert at the eHuman office.

This image (without the logo and turned completely vertical) was used in the promotional flyer for the exhibit.

This was another one specifically requested to show this amulet. It has been decided that it is the "Eye of Ra" and they wanted to showcase it. Unfortunately, OsiriX may not be the best program for that. No matter how much I tweaked, that was the highest level of detail that came through on the amulet in OrisiX. So I doubt they will be using this one.

I am very excited to see the exhibit all put together, and can't wait for the 31st! (Opening it on Halloween is cute, I swear).

I will also attempt to post more often. Hopefully some other projects will become 'public friendly' and I'll be posting about other projects that eHuman is producing. It's an exciting time to be here, and I am absolutely loving my new job. And the fact that I have a job. Now this whole 'must graduate' thing is another story...