Haptic reproduction and interactive visualization of a beating heart based on cardiac morphology

A goal of this work is proposal and construction of simulation methods of haptic reproduction and interactive visualization of a beating heart in cardiovascular surgical training and education. The data for the beating heart model was obtained from ECG-gated 3D MRI of a normal volunteer. The elastic information was assumed as a uniform value with clinically experienced elasticity. Using a real-time 3D graphics and a haptic device, a simulation environment of the beating heart was designed and implemented. After the construction, some cardiovascular surgeons evaluated the implemented system. Its visualization and haptic expression were scored excellent, but some details in haptic interface were remained to be improved. Finally, for more realistic cardiovascular surgical simulation, future development of the method is discussed.