Image display firm Barco has installed its I-Space virtual room and two CADWall systems at the University of Toledo College of Medicine's new virtual immersive reality center.
The university's Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center is designed to educate future physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals with the goal of increasing patient safety, reducing errors, and improving the quality of care by using simulation models and simulated clinical settings.
Barco's I-Space four-sided virtual room uses rear-projection technology to portray 3D computer images of skeletons, organs, arteries, and medical conditions, allowing participants to "walk through" parts of the body. 3D visualization of anatomy is projected to show normal and abnormal pathology, as well as for CT scan reading. The system will be used to simulate entire environments such as operating suites.
CADWall is a multichannel, ultrahigh-resolution 3D stereoscopic display wall featuring multiple edge-blended projection systems. The brightness, high resolution, and color depth of the display portray realistic imagery, ideal for interactive, larger-than-life depictions. Multiple sources can be visualized simultaneously in any combination of mono and 3D stereo. All local and networked image sources can be controlled with a mouse and keyboard. The display enables researchers to collaborate in a visual workspace in real-time, both locally and remotely from other locations.
The simulation center is currently in the prototype phase located in a temporary pilot facility, which is already accommodating more than 800 learners a month. A new $36 million, 60,000-sq-ft Tri-Center is being developed.
