Schedule Saturday, July 22

In this talk, Andrew will share insights, techniques and skills from his experience developed to tutor surgeons, physicians, fine art professionals and artists in the medical, movie visual effects & game industries. He will also demonstrate using a live world-class ‘Cirque’ performer to highlight his key approaches to anatomy aesthetics, reconstruction, and form and function for both traditional and digital mediums. He will share lessons from his journey and provide some perspectives and principles on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence tools for the medical illustration profession. Andrew will also catch the Association of Medical Illustrators members up on what has been happening in his career since he spoke last at the AMI conference at Mayo Clinic in 2014.

Learning Objectives: Coming Soon

Keywords: anatomy, medical, art

Forensic facial approximation is a method for visualizing the face of an unidentified decedent based only on skull structure and demographic analysis of the remains. It is a singular form of visual communication that seeks to elicit a response from the public to aid the police in establishing a positive identity for the individual. It draws on the particular strengths of the medical illustrator: it requires expertise in facial anatomy and craniometry, skillful modeling and image authoring, and analysis of target audience needs, assumptions, and ability to engage with visual media. We will discuss the evidence-based practices that are currently in use, focusing on strengths and areas where further research is needed. We will extend this discussion to examine new directions in digital 3D modeling that will expedite and expand the practice with the goal of increasing the likelihood of recognition and identification. These will include the use of workflows that integrate standardized base-mesh models, the implementation of animated facial expression, and the ability to iterate on and present variations on possible appearances.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to explain the foundational evidence-based concepts and practices of forensic facial approximation; analyze the concept of success in this context in terms of anatomical realization and effective communication with the public; integrate the use of standardized base mesh models into existing facial approximation practice.

Keywords: Forensic facial approximation, 3d modelling, facial anatomy, public engagement, 3D workflow

Tal Bavli and Sarah Faris discuss their approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion considerations in the practice of medical illustration. 40 minute presentation (20 minute each) followed by a 20 min moderated Q+A.

Inclusion and Diversity Starter Kit for Medical Illustration: Tal will present research findings on practical tools for medical illustrators to consider diversity in their work, providing a measurable starting point for individual

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to challenge themselves on choices they make about representation in their work and ask themselves questions that will help them expand diversity in future projects; should be familiar with several approaches to diversity and inclusion in illustration; will have actual, non-theoretical resources to consult with when approaching diversity in their work; should feel motivated and more comfortable to discuss diversity in medical illustration with other members of the field.

Sarah will share a variety of experiences from time spent in the classroom and studio that inform strategies for bridging DEI-focused individual practice in medical illustration with community engagement at large institutions. Highlights include approaches to recognizing meaningful opportunities, learning through active listening, developing resilience, and avoiding performative allyship.

Learning Objectives: Learners will be able to recognize potential opportunities and pathways for social change within their professional environments; demonstrate improved knowledge of problem-solving skills that effectively support DEI initiatives; demonstrate an improved understanding of non-performative allyship in the field of medical illustration.

Keywords: diversity, representation

The Multimedia Design Atlas (MDA) is a new resource that helps designers and clients explore the universe of design possibilities when creating educational multimedia for the sciences. It is often a challenge for clients and novice designers to consider the full range of multimedia modalities available to them, and to make strategic decisions about which format is most pedagogically impactful given their communication objectives. To help with this process, the atlas is organized using a variety of multimedia design categories, each with a collection of varied examples, design considerations, pedagogical affordances & technical underpinnings. By the end of the session, attendees will have learned how this new resource can benefit the pre-production workflow, facilitate early-stage ideation and improve communication and strategic planning with clients.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to access and navigate the Multimedia Design Atlas (MDA) effectively to gain an appreciation for the full range of common multimedia formats in scientific visualization; explain the advantages of using the MDA for independent brainstorming sessions and interfacing with clients; identify how and when to integrate the MDA into their existing practice

Keywords: Multimedia Design Atlas, MDA, scientific multimedia, design, pre-production, visualization, animation, illustration, interactive, simulation, strategic design, communication objectives, learning objectives, pedagogical strategy, ideation

There is an increasing demand for high quality medical illustration training all around the world. As a response to so many aspiring artists reaching out to me asking for training, Dr. Efe started this language-based online training scheme, the TMIG in 2020. A 40-strong group of Turkish doctors/artists have been joining him every fortnight in a Zoom session for the past three years. He has been using this platform to motivate and educate them on every possible aspect of medical illustration. This is free scheme, and many reputable AMI members kindly joined us as a guest, and helped motivate the Group. There are various reasons international talent cannot reach out to the AMI and the medical illustration community. He would like to develop the TMIG scheme as a template for the AMI to reach out to all these potential international members. We can replicate this curriculum, so volunteering bilingual AMI members would continue this in other languages around the world. The scheme would work as a bridge between the AMI and all these potential members.

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, attendees will be able to discuss language based online medical illustration training, distant learning and increasing the AMI’s membership base

Keywords: Online training, Language based training

As the medical animation field has grown, it may be possible that production practices are not scaling as well as team sizes are increasing in size. Methods that worked well for individuals or small teams may not be optimal as projects grow in complexity or as 3D asset libraries grow over time. How might a group prevent repeating time-consuming tasks and break down the natural overhead that builds up over time? This talk will address how other industries have tackled these challenges and how the medical animation field seems to differ, leading to some potentially feeling stressed by technology changes or even overworked.An effective 3D pipeline can connect software and information together with team members resulting in better communication and efficiency. By utilizing technology and expertise, 3D production challenges can be streamlined and accelerated with computers with automation tools that can be designed around your needs. Standards and consistency can be enforced across a group, fewer mistakes will be made, and production time can be shortened. More time can be spent on the medical and art aspects of production, which I think is what most in the field would prefer in the long run. This talk will cover exactly what the solution is for people who feel the struggle in keeping up with the quickly ever-evolving 3D graphics field. Are you concerned about AI potentially encroaching on jobs or work? Learn how your group can apply a force-multiplier for your entire 3D team and stay one step ahead of AI.

Learning Objectives: Through attending this presentation, attendees will learn what repetitive challenges a 3D production team faces; learn broadly how tasks can be automated for a group; become aware of what tasks are possible to streamline or seamlessly integrate; understand how technology is evaluated with automation in mind

Keywords: Automation, Technology, Technical Director, TD, Efficiency, Speed, Streamline, Pipeline, Procedures, Tools, Modern Production

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Clinical trials now incorporate data gathered outside the clinic through mobile apps. In these apps clinical trial participants take surveys, cognitive tests, and motor tests at their own home. Some trials never have participants even visit a clinic. It is important that these self-guided apps are as straightforward and easy to use as possible. This talk will discuss Clinical Ink’s directions for developing user-friendly clinical trials apps through two case studies, an app for a COVID-19 study and an app for an ALS study. Topics covered include: health literacy writing techniques, optimizing for translation, color blindness considerations, collaborative software and techniques for remote work, and user testing. These topics are rooted in making scientific content accessible to the public and thus valuable to consider in all science communication creations.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to write accessible content and reference resources with alternative health-literacy friendly terms; test the readability of their written content with three resources; describe the three key elements to create language agnostic content that can easily be translated; perform inexpensive and efficient user testing on their content.

Keywords: health literacy, clinical trials, communication, translation, training, collaborative software, user testing

As scientific visualizers, we rely on a number of people who contribute specialized knowledge and expertise to our projects. Project teams can range from a small group of contributors, such as one scientific visualizer and their client, to large, interdisciplinary teams that include subject matter experts, managers, developers, writers, and end-users. Regardless of team structure, a clear understanding of the visualization process as well as the responsibilities of each contributor is crucial to delivering a successful project. In this talk, Amy and Shay will share some of the work they have done to characterize “The Visualizer’s Journey” in a framework that formalizes their approach to solving complex scientific communication problems. They will discuss the activities, outputs, and people needed to make decisions about the development of scientific visualizations, as well as the applications and limitations of this framework in practice. Attendees will walk away with a greater curiosity for our discipline and a toolkit that helps them navigate necessary conversations for future static, animated, or interactive projects. This project is a collaboration between members of the University of Toronto, Harvard Medical School, and Digizyme, Inc.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to describe the activities, outputs, and contributors required for the development of scientific visualizations of various media types; describe the potential applications and limitations of the framework, particularly how the ideal framework compares to in-the-trenches practice; describe how they can use the toolkit resource provided in this talk to kick off future projects of various media types and facilitate conversations with clients and team members.

Keywords: scientific visualization framework, toolkit, theory and practice, client and team communication, design process, production, evaluation, workflow

Valerie and her team were tasked with creating a mobile augmented reality triage training tool to be deployed with a set of printed AR code cards and a touchscreen tablet for their partners at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (MRICD). The tablet runs a packaged Unreal Engine project that reads the unique printed patterns to pull up specific patients who are each suffering from a range of injuries and exposures that are conveyed through injury modeling, texturing and animation. Symptoms include chemical exposure, thermal burns, blunt trauma and more. The team worked with a set of actors to capture vocal and facial performance information so each patient could be animated to describe their situation/symptoms and/or exhibit signs of what they are suffering from like wheezing, coughing, retching and so on. Valerie’s presentation will include a look “under the hood” and show how she and her team created the 3D patients, talk about the sets of symptoms and combat casualties they were required to depict, how they worked with the actors to get their performances from video onto their 3D characters, and how they set up the patient list to coincide with the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Cards used in the training. She will finish by showing the tablets and cards in use. She plans to have time saved at the end of her presentation to let the audience have hands-on experience with the tablet.

Learning Objectives: After attending the presentation, audience members should be able to explain how augmented reality can be used for triage medical training. The presentation will familiarize the attendees with the processes used to create 3D patients and help them to apply these processes to their own projects. Attendees will see how medical training can include technology like a touchscreen tablet and virtual patients in a compact and mobile way, allowing the training to happen wherever a tablet can go. And lastly, the audience will learn a little about how the Unreal Engine can help them create medical simulation tools or experiences of their own (It will not be a tutorial on the Unreal Engine but Valerie will help to showcase some of the things the engine can do).

Keywords: Medical Training, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Combat Care Training, Triage Training, Unreal Engine, Mobile Training Tool, 3D Human Creation, 3D Human Animation, Facial Animation

Scientific American uses graphics to help tell all kinds of science stories. When it comes to the latest news and analysis in health and medicine, data visualization is one of the most important tools we have to make key information accessible to a general audience. Often, this means taking an existing visualization, such as a figure from a research paper or a graph from a government website, and reimagining it; other times, it means starting with nothing but a spreadsheet full of numbers. In this talk Amanda will take you through the process of creating a Scientific American data visualization, from concept to publication, and explain how decisions are made at every step to tailor the graphic to the needs of a non-expert reader. She will highlight practical considerations like choosing the right chart form, making the best use of labels and annotations, and ensuring readability in various formats.

Learning Objectives: Following this talk, attendees should be able to identify the best chart type to use for a given dataset and narrative; redesign an expert-targeted scientific figure to be accessible to a general audience; label and annotate charts to help non-expert readers make sense of the data

Keywords: data visualization, journalism

High-definition volume rendering of diagnostic imaging data can represent normal and abnormal fetal anatomy with an almost lifelike realism, but is limited by artifacts of the data capture. Moreover, the resolution of early-gestation imaging is often insufficient to accurately predict postnatal anatomy and in the case of conjoined twins, exact anatomic relations and shared vital organs are crucial for decision making during pregnancy and at the time of delivery. Waiting for more detailed imaging later in gestation is often not possible. Based on earlier experience, we have combined medical illustration with cross-sectional imaging to predict the anatomic relationships in complex conjoined twin pregnancies, to enhance their accuracy, as well as their didactic and predictive value.

Four sets of conjoined twins were initially diagnosed before 17 weeks GA, and early gestation MRI were obtained to determine anatomic relationships. Semiautomated computerized posthoc manipulation of the diagnostic images were then used to create the optimal orientation and exposure to visualize all critical anatomical landmarks, ultimately leading to faithful medical illustrations of the twins.

The end product utilized the relative diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the fetuses and the spatial manipulation of 3D models to create a lifelike, accurate and informative image of the twins. In all four cases, early visualization of the internal anatomical relations between the twins proved highly accurate. In at least two cases, these illustrations allowed the future parents to visualize the likely presentation at birth, and allowed the multidisciplinary team to predict and plan postnatal management.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, attendees will be able to describe the role of accurate early diagnosis of conjoined twins for rational clinical decision-making; define the respective roles of diagnostic imaging and medical illustration in the visualization of early-gestation fetal anomalies; explain the interaction of diagnostic imaging and medical illustration to optimize the detailed visual representation of fetal anomalies at an early stage

Keywords: conjoined twins; fetal anomalies; prenatal diagnosis; diagnostic imaging; surgical planning

Patient selection is crucial when considering eligibility for robotic coronary surgery in order to minimize complications. For robotic left internal mammary artery (LIMA) harvesting in particular, careful measurement of intrathoracic anatomy is critical to ensure adequate exposure. This study utilizes customized 3D printed models to simulate robotic cardiac surgery and to investigate the limits of intrathoracic anatomy ratios amenable for LIMA harvesting, which had previously not been empirically tested. Several life-sized left hemi-ribcage models were created based on a CT scan of an average adult-sized chest. Derivative ribcage models were created from the original rib cage model with varying anteroposterior (AP) to transverse ratios. These models were 3D printed and used for simulation using a da Vinci robotic trainer to mimic robotic LIMA take down. The study showed that robotic LIMA harvesting may be possible in a chest wall space with an AP to transverse ratio as low as 0.40, and potentially even lower. This had previously not been described. This type of study using 3D printed ribcage models can be further utilized to investigate the extremes of chest wall measurements to determine compatibility with robotic cardiac procedures, which may ultimately expand the patient population eligible for robotic cardiac surgery. This type of study therefore exemplifies how medical illustration/modeling can lead to improved patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, attendees will be able to utilize 3D models generated from CT scans to create rib cage models to simulate robotic cardiac surgery; review basic intrathoracic anatomy and understand indications for robotic cardiac surgery; collaborate with surgeons and industry partners to solve clinical questions

Keywords: Cardiac surgery, robotic surgery, surgical simulation, 3D modeling, 3D printing

Medical imaging is an essential part of treatment planning for complex surgeries in patients. 3D printed models and guides generated from imaging can provide a deeper understanding of the anatomy and pathology. Patient-specific 3D printed models allow surgeons and trainees to better examine anatomical features through tactile and visuospatial feedback allowing for improved preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, and enhanced trainee education. Furthermore, these models facilitate discussions with patients and families, allowing for improved decision-making regarding treatment. Our case series consists of 3D printed models segmented from medical imaging data for preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance for veterinarian and human treatments.

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, attendees will understand how 3D printed models enhance the understanding of complex anatomy and facilitates individualized surgical planning by allowing surgeons to tailor and augment the surgical plan by examining patient-specific anatomy and pathology; the surgical steps may also be simulated in advance, including planning of osteotomy lines and pre-contouring of titanium plates for reconstruction. 3D printed model and surgical guide also serve as invaluable intraoperative reference and guidance; and how 3D printed models have the potential to improve resident and student training as well as patient and family understanding and communication regarding the condition, treatment plan and intended outcomes.

Keywords: Medical, veterinary, 3D printing, additive manufacturing

The Vesalius Trust for Visual Communication in the Health Sciences is proud to host The VT Scholars Talks devoted to student research in the areas of medical illustration and biomedical communication. We wish all of this year’s biocommunication graduates success, 8 of whom will present the research done as part of their graduate studies. These award recipients will describe their research goals, problem-solving techniques and general methodology, including the use of traditional and innovative, computer-based techniques. Attendees will gain keen insight into the clinical, biomedical, and instructional design research currently being undertaken by medical illustration students in North America.

Artificial Intelligence started “trending” in 2022 as generative AIs like DALL-E, Stability AI, and Midjourney produced strikingly competent visual works based on simple prompts written by users who have no skills as illustrators, painters, or designers. Unlike other hot topics that fade quickly in the blogosphere, AI is here to stay in one form or another—and some AIs are already telling us what we should think about them.

In David’s writing, he has repeated the view shared by many that “AI art” is a meaningless contradiction in terms. But that opinion is admittedly quixotic because AI works are being made, will continue to be made, and will become more sophisticated very quickly. He will discuss key topics, people, and organizations worth following and has left room to adapt this presentation between now and July, as the AI story changes every day.

Learning Objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should understand the copyright considerations associated with using protected works to train AIs; discuss some of the legal arguments that will be raised by AI proponents; discuss the nature of authorship in their own (eventual) AI-assisted works; discuss some ethical/philosophical questions posed by AI-generated visual art.

Keywords: Art; Law; Copyright; Artists Rights; Litigation; Legislation; Infringement; AI; Artificial Intelligence; Ethics; Authorship