Innovative anatomical representation through the use of x-ray tomography and holographic display emulator

Abstract

The “L. Cattaneo” Anatomy Museum wax anatomical models in Bologna, works of great historical, artistic and scientific value, have been used since the beginning of the 18th century for medical sciences students practical demonstrations. For this work, which aims to use innovative diagnostic investigation techniques for advancement either in education and scientific communication through a new “remote” method for the museum fruition, we used anatomical preparations and both normal human anatomical and pathological one wax models, from the dawn of the nineteenth according to the new Morgagni’s theories. We acquired a lot of high resolution photographs as many as tomographic images than processed using innovative representation techniques through new generation hardware equipment and an original software especially developed for full three-dimensional display. The several high-resolution photographs acquired around the object, combined with the results of the X-ray computed tomography (CT) investigation, show the 3D reconstruction of the object with their internal parts reassembled and, at the same time, reveal hidden structures and materials used, all in a non-invasive way. The CT analysis was performed using a specifically designed system, developed for application on Cultural Heritage at the Physics and Astronomy Department of Bologna University. The results of this work are shown through a virtual 3D projection using a device able to emulate a holographic representation