About this Research Topic
Image-based digital tools include a range of technologies such as 3D modeling, 3D printing, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR), originating from a common data source, i.e. patient diagnostic imaging. Also, artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly increasing technology that can be applied to diagnostic imaging. In recent years these tools have attracted great attention in the medical field to support preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, diagnostics, and therapeutics, as well as for educational purposes.
Indeed, interventional procedures and surgery applications are being developed to display virtual medical images and patient-specific 3D virtual models that can be manipulated before the intervention. These virtual anatomical models can be used to build physical replicas and/or to design patient-specific surgical tools and therapeutic devices using advanced 3D printing technologies. The virtual models can also be visually overlaid, fused, or integrated into reality using AR. With AR visualization, different types of virtual information can be projected in the surgeon’s line of view, facilitating navigation and decision-making.
Also, AI applied to diagnostic medical images is expected to produce significant innovations, such as more efficient automatic image scan and processing and a more efficient examination and diagnosis workflow.
The interest in image-based digital tools applied for diagnosis and surgical treatment is on the rise. However, some technological and usability limitations as well as the lack of standardized evaluation methodologies to assess their benefits have to be faced.
The aim of this Research Topic is to bring together new developments and applications of virtual modeling, 3D printing, VR/AR, and AI technologies to the medical field for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We also encourage submissions that focus on the challenge of identifying the use cases in which these digital tools and 3D printed devices can actually bring benefits in the medical practice, e.g., for enabling more personalized diagnosis and more effective and precise surgical procedures.
We encourage authors to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies on the following topics, but not limited to:
• VR/AR tools for preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, and diagnostics
• Tracking methods for AR visualization
• 3D printing technologies for surgical training and preoperative planning
• VR/AR applications for medical education
• 3D printing of surgical tools and/or therapeutic devices
• AI tools for Computer-Aided Diagnosis based on medical images
• AI relating to diagnostic imaging
• Benefits assessment of image-based digital tools in medicine
Indeed, interventional procedures and surgery applications are being developed to display virtual medical images and patient-specific 3D virtual models that can be manipulated before the intervention. These virtual anatomical models can be used to build physical replicas and/or to design patient-specific surgical tools and therapeutic devices using advanced 3D printing technologies. The virtual models can also be visually overlaid, fused, or integrated into reality using AR. With AR visualization, different types of virtual information can be projected in the surgeon’s line of view, facilitating navigation and decision-making.
Also, AI applied to diagnostic medical images is expected to produce significant innovations, such as more efficient automatic image scan and processing and a more efficient examination and diagnosis workflow.
The interest in image-based digital tools applied for diagnosis and surgical treatment is on the rise. However, some technological and usability limitations as well as the lack of standardized evaluation methodologies to assess their benefits have to be faced.
The aim of this Research Topic is to bring together new developments and applications of virtual modeling, 3D printing, VR/AR, and AI technologies to the medical field for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We also encourage submissions that focus on the challenge of identifying the use cases in which these digital tools and 3D printed devices can actually bring benefits in the medical practice, e.g., for enabling more personalized diagnosis and more effective and precise surgical procedures.
We encourage authors to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies on the following topics, but not limited to:
• VR/AR tools for preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, and diagnostics
• Tracking methods for AR visualization
• 3D printing technologies for surgical training and preoperative planning
• VR/AR applications for medical education
• 3D printing of surgical tools and/or therapeutic devices
• AI tools for Computer-Aided Diagnosis based on medical images
• AI relating to diagnostic imaging
• Benefits assessment of image-based digital tools in medicine
Keywords: 3D modeling, 3D printing, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, preoperative planning, surgical navigation, image-guided surgery, patient-specific anatomy, artificial intelligence, diagnostic imaging
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
