MRI and CT Scans Galore!

Phew, what a week! My boyfriend was down at the beginning of the week and recently I have been catching up on assignments so I apologize for not writing as religiously as I should be... he tends to be a distraction at times. ;)

Anyway, the field of Biomedical Visualization is obviously all about accuracy. Therefore, it is best to have a reference to look at when you are creating medical art. However, that is not as easy as setting up a still life unless you want the smell of phenol and/or rotting flesh (gross, but the truth). Therefore, we have to improvise and use what we have learned as well as other sources. Though anatomy references are essential, there can be errors as well as limited views of the subject at hand. This is where CT and MRI scan databases come in.

Both MRI and CT scans are noninvasive medical procedures that are created in the way of taking small "slices" of x-ray imagery and stacking them. In this fashion, the image data set can be compiled to create a 3D image. CT scans create more detailed images, but carry a risk for the viable patient: radiation. Because of this, CT scans are limited to the number of times a living human can have this procedure performed. In contrast, MRI scans are much safer, but provide less detail.

Both of these are medical procedures, but are valuable to medical illustrators as well. We can create 3D images (such as our next Computer Applications assignment in which we will be creating 3D knee models from scanning data sets) as well as using the numerous cross-sections to use as reference in 2D illustrations. All-in-all, you can tell that it is very useful in the field of medical visualization and illustration. I have used OSIRIX and will be using MIMICS and I'm only in my first year of the program! (Note: the data sets that are utilized in these programs follow standard IRB and HIPAA protocol with patient confidentiality and names have been removed.)



Other people, such as the UK-based artist presented in this post, utilizes medical scans in a more artistic and free manner. Angela Palmer uses MRI technology to create some fascinating and memorable artwork. She works from her own MRI scans as well as others and etches the cross sections on glass and aligns them to create 3D images. She has also done some work in multimedia by creating video. Though not a science-based artist, she strives to create awareness through her art which is educational in itself. Take a look at Angela's portfolio site to see some more medical scan-based artwork!




Photo and video courtesy of angelaspalmer.com "Self Portrait", Angela Palmer; artnet.com "Self Portrait 4", Angela Palmer; and youtube.com "MRI Scan Art Video", Angela Palmer