IN A HAPTIC AUGMENTED REALITY ENVIRONMENT Medical sculptors and neurosurgeons create virtual 3D cranial models based on patient CT data superimposed over their hands as if they were sculpting physical models. DESIGNING CRANIAL IMPLANTS

The virtual environment tracks hand positions and updates medical slice images corresponding to the touch location indicated by the green sphere. 3D billboards display auxiliary patient information in images that may be positioned and arranged within the workspace. (Patient information images provided by GE Medical Systems; overall image by Electronic Visualization Laboratory, University of Illinois at Chicago.)