The Digital Heart

Objectives: A 3D model of the heart is necessary for many areas. Patient information, training for medical professionals, photorealistic representation in imaging procedures, and simulation of functional changes under pathological or therapeutic conditions are areas of application which either now plays or will soon play important role in modern medical practice. Currently available simulations are functionally limited, do not accurately simulate cardiac function, or are simply anatomically incorrect.

Methods: This 3D model of the heart was created with the Cinema4D software (Maxon) and consists of 128,554 polygons. The anatomical model was created from the data set of a high-resolution Cardio-CT of a 37-year-old woman with healthy heart, which was transformed into a mesh of “perfect polygons.” The anatomical adaptation was carried out by adapting the polygon grid to the imaging template. The animation of the model is achieved by adjusting the anatomical boundaries of the CT scan. The textures consist of a total of seven layers, which allow a photorealistic depiction of the heart.

Results: The model can be sliced in any and all planes and anatomical details can be viewed in every phase of the cardiac cycle from all angles. 3D camera movements inside and outside the model are freely configurable. The model can be manipulated as desired to represent pathological changes. Simulated medical devices can be implanted and their functionality displayed. The result is a model that is suitable for patient education, training of physicians, planning and simulation of surgical interventions, or implantation of devices. In the future, it could also be used as a development tool for medical devices and implantation techniques.

Conclusion: This new and unique digital tool will allow the simulation of individual pathologies with a level of realism never before achieved. The possible future applications are practically limitless. In the immediate future, it can serve as an exceptionally useful instrument for patient-specific information and therapeutic planning.