Biomedical Visualisation, Volume 1

This edited volume explores the use of technology to enable us to visualise the life sciences in a more meaningful and engaging way. It will enable those interested in visualisation techniques to gain a better understanding of the applications that can be used in imaging and analysis, education, engagement and training.

The reader will be able to explore the utilisation of technologies from a number of fields to enable an engaging and meaningful visual representation of the life sciences. This use of technology-enhanced learning will be of benefit for the learner, trainer, in patient care and the wider field of education and engagement.

By examining a range of techniques in image capture (photogrammetery, stereophotogrammetry, microphotogrammetry and autostereoscopy), this book will showcase the wide range of tools we can use. Researchers in this field will be able to find something suitable to apply to their work to enhance user engagement through improved visual meansusing the technologies we have available to us today.

It will highlight the uses of these technologies to examine many aspects of the human body, and enable improved ways to enhance visual and tactile learning, including 3D printing. By demonstrating co-design processes, working directly with the end-stage users (including patients), it will also highlight successes in adopting tools like hand motion tracking rehabilitation for patients with conditions like multiple sclerosis.

The book will also discuss the applications of immersive environments including virtual, augmented and mixed reality. The ultimate aim is to show how, by using these tools, we can enhance communication, mobile applications, health literacy and illustration of both normal and pathological processes in the body. By applying a wide range of tools and technologies, this volume will highlight the wide range of applications in education, training and learning both for students and faculty, butalso for patient care and education.

Therefore, the work presented here can be accessed by a wide range of users from faculty and students involved in the design and development of these processes, by examining the pedagogy around these technologies. Importantly, it presents material, which will be of benefit for the patient, engaging them to become more involved with techniques like physiotherapy.

Dr. Paul Rea is a medically qualified clinical anatomist and is a Senior Lecturer and Licensed Teacher of Anatomy. He has an MSc (by research) in craniofacial anatomy/surgery, a PhD in neuroscience, the Diploma in Forensic Medical Science (DipFMS), and has successfully an MEd (Learning and Teaching in Higher Education), with his dissertation examining digital technologies in anatomy. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA), elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, professional member of the Institute of Medical Illustrators (MIMI) and a fully registered medical illustrator with the Academy for Healthcare Science. 

Dr. Rea has published widely and presented at many national and international meetings, including invited talks. He sits on the Executive Editorial Committee for the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, is Associate Editor for the European Journal of Anatomy and reviews for 20 different journals/publishers.

He is the Public Engagement and Outreach lead for anatomy coordinating collaborative projects with the Glasgow Science Centre, NHS and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Dr. Rea is also a STEM ambassador and has visited numerous schools to undertake outreach work.

His research involves a long-standing strategic partnership with the School of Simulation and Visualisation The Glasgow School of Art. This has led to multi-million pound investment in creating world leading 3D digital datasets to be used in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching to enhance learning and assessment. This successful collaboration resulted in the creation of the worlds first taught MSc Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy combining anatomy and digital technologies. The Institute of Medical Illustrators also accredits it. This degree, now into its 8th year, has graduated almost 100 people, and created college-wide, industry, multi-institutional and NHS research linked projects for students. Dr. Rea is the Pathway Leader for this degree.