Context-oriented medical visualization with floating images

As the next stage of medical visualization technology with floating images, we are working on augmenting the volume slicing image with context information. We have developed a new optical system and a linear motor drive that allows scan- ning through the displayed volumetric area. By fast automated scanning of the display screen, we show the surrounding region of the volumetric image, so the afterimage puts the currently viewed slice into context. We expect that this helps forming a correct three-dimensional understanding. Another method we are trying out is to insert physical (3D-printed) objects into the view, overlayed with the volume slicing image. This is expected to work as a guide for the user when scanning through the images. We report on experiments with these techniques, and the evaluation of the system by a medical doctor.