About the Program

The Anatomy Wiz is an Internet based anatomy educational and reference tool. There are currently multiple modules focused on ENT and musculoskeletal anatomy. Images are displayed and scrolled in a manner similar to a radiology workstation. Several features allow for very quick and easy identification of anatomical structures. Each structure has an accompanying discussion and a list of references.

There is a separate authoring program that allows anyone to create a teaching module of his or her choice which is a powerful learning experience in itself.

 

 

Technical Overview

As an Internet application Anatomy Wiz! is built using ASP.NET along with the Microsoft .NET Framework. The .NET Framework was chosen for this application primarily for application speed and the rich class libraries of data access, image and line drawing functions. The application programming language used is Visual Basic. The application is scalable allowing future tutorials to be added without modification to the application architecture or programming logic.

 
  • Cross-browser support for Netscape and Internet Explorer
  • Clean code/html content separation using server controls
  • Pages that are constructed from dynamically-loaded user controls
  • Multi-tier application architecture
  • ADO.NET data access using SQL stored procedures

 
The Anatomy Wiz! uses the common ‘best of practice’ multi-tier application architecture.  The presentation layer and data access layer reside on an HTML server running Microsoft IIS 6.0. The data layer resides on a separate SQL 2000 server. The presentation layer is coded using Visual Basic and uses .NET Web Forms and user controls to handle the display and management of the Anatomy Wiz! data. All of the content for the Anatomy Wiz! is stored in a SQL Server database. Data access is provided through the data layer which implements requests using stored procedures.
The Anatomy Wiz! database schema consists of a number of tables that provide a repository for tutorial content. The database is scalable allowing for additional tutorial information to be incorporated into the appropriate tables. Editing features allow for maintenance of tutorial data.
The Anatomy Wiz! uses stored procedures to encapsulate all of the database queries. Stored procedures provide a clean separation between the database and the middle-tier data access layer. Additionally stored procedures provide performance benefits.

 

Program Features

The are several functions which allow one to quickly and easily identify anatomical structures. 

 

 

 

Program Layout

Hover over layout components for Description.  Click to learn more.

Image Display Image Scroll Bar Sereis Selection Current Anatomy Module Return to Main Menu Bridgeport Hospital Graduate Education Program Search by text/keyword Search by Category Search by Series, Image or List All List of Anatomical Structures Discussion and Reference Information Additional Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navigation Tools
Series Selection (Upper Bar)
  • There are up to three series to choose from.

Scroll Bar (Lower Bar)

  • The  labeled PINK buttons allow scrolling up and down through the selected series

 

  • The BOXES represent each individual image within the series.

 

  • The WHITE boxes indicate images showing the currently selected structure.

 

  • The RED box is the current image

 

 

 Search/Filter Function 

 

The multiple search options available allow for very quick and easy identification of anatomical structures. 

The list of available structures can be filtered by:

  1. Category

  2. Text/Keyword

  3. Series/Image location

A.  Category Search: 

 

Structures can be grouped and selected by category

B.  Text search  

 

Type in any string of text then click the  button.  All structures containing the text will be listed in the structure list box. 

For example:  Typing "Circ" in the Temporal bone anatomy module will result in a list containing:

  1. Lateral Semicircular Canal

  2. Posterior Semicircular Canal

  3. Superior Semicircular Canal

C.  Series/Slice/All:

 

  • The list can be limited to structures present on the current series or limited to structures present on the current image.
  • Or simply, ALL available structures can be listed
Point and Click:

The point and click feature also allows for very quick and easy identification of structures.  On any image, a structure can be selected by just clicking on it.

 

 

 

 

 

The structure of interest is selected with a mouse click

 

 

 

 

 

The Structure is instantly identified and highlighted

 

 

Discussion, Reference, and Comments

Discussion

  • Provides important information on the currently selected structure.

References

  • Lists specific references when available

Comments (At the bottom of the image)

 

  • This is a note pertaining to a specific structure on a particular image
  • Example:  There may be a comment regarding an important relationship between the currently selected structure and another structure on the current slice

 

 

Structure List

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contains a list of currently available structures.  A structure is selected by clicking on it.  The first image showing the structure will appear in the image display window.  The structure will be highlighted and/or marked with and arrow/circle.  If a discussion is available, it will be shown in the discussion window as will reference.  There may be comments associated with individual images as well.

The list can be filtered using various search functions.

 

 

Image Display

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The display shows the current image.  If a structure is selected then is appears highlighted on the image.  A structure can be selected by clicking on the structure.  The newly selected structure then becomes highlighted.

Structure Identity

Once a structure is selected, it remains highlighted on all consecutive images where present.  When changing series, the first image of the series showing the structure appears and the structure remains highlighted.  The ability the maintain the identity of a selected structure throughout all sets of images provides a three-dimensional perspective of complex anatomy that is not possible with textbooks or other static images.

 

 

 

 

Graduate Medical Education

Bridgeport Hospital is a Yale-affiliated community teaching hospital. As a resident in training at Bridgeport Hospital in any of the seven residencies or as a fellow in one of the three fellowship programs, you receive preparation for a lifetime of learning.

Click the GME Logo for more information