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Product Description
True Life Anatomy Pty Ltd (“TLA” or “True Life Anatomy”) software creates three-dimensional models using image data obtained from actual patient and volunteer CT and other scans. This software provides the Clinician, Researcher and Educator with unparalleled access to the 3D image data within a graphics environment where previously such capability was restricted to dedicated CT scanner workstations within the Radiology Provider facility. Such access allows measurement, manipulation and object modification in the form of virtual surgery, as well as the option to animate serial position scans using sophisticated spatial tracking algorithms to create a unique simulation of body motion. Accurate digital tracking of individual and adjacent bones has wide potential application ranging from research and teaching to injury diagnosis and ultimately virtual surgery to develop and test various reconstruction options for surgeons and medical practitioners.

Products at a Glance

a) TLA Generator Reads in raw CT-Data and converts to surfaced models and generates the .tla file format Allows for individual control of creating separated segments, or automatic functions for best guess separation. Allows separation of component parts of the object and can delete parts of the objects as well as measure distances and angles. Requires fast processor and maximum RAM for optimal performance

b) TLA Viewer Plays back .tla files and saves to .jpg format or prints report. Can hide objects, or segments, colour objects or segments, tag objects or segments with descriptors / notes Also plays True Life Anatomy 3D movies (.tlm) and supports Interactive simulations during animation. Requires a current level P4 processor or equivalent and modest RAM resources

c) TLA Animator Creates the native .tlm animation files by reading in .tla files and generates animations. These can be sequential, (similar to flip book step frame animations), or they can be generated using a virtual camera in 3D space. The different step frame images can also be interpolated to create a smooth transition between positions. These animations of a sequence of separate datasets, or positions allow virtual camera manipulation in 3D space to orient view, around a 3 Dimensional animated sequence.

Click on the image below to see the full screen view

TLA Generator	TLA Viewer
TLA Animator

Product at a glance
Product type	Application
Fault Industry Sector	Health
Fault Tolerance	Restricted
Innovation Indicators	All indicators flagged Business Advantage Breaking new ground Earth shrinking Expanding horizons New Business New Technology Quality of living Social change
Contact for more information	Dr Michael Sandow
Performance indicators	Customer support Standards and codes compliance Professionally executed design Real world design Beta tested User benefits New benchmark
Contact for more information	Mr Sam Papas
Potential Indicators	Structured for growth Global design Identified potential markets Award recognition International collaborators
Contact for more information	Dr Michael Sandow

Innovation

This software creates a manageable readable data file for medical use that can be viewed on an office computing resource by using algorithms to allow the importation of raw CT 2 dimensional scan data, the conversion, compression and enhancement of this data to create a of 3D surface rendered object. Using software compression algorithms a new file format (.tla) has been created that allows the target subject to be visualised in a 3 dimensional form and then (if required) to be subjected to basic manipulative functions. Using the TLA Viewer platform, the .tla files can be viewed and the image manipulated (eg rotation and orientation) on a current office computer. The images can then be exported a 2D (.jpg) image file or patient report that includes the 2D image of the desired 3D view, patient data, scan data and a Radiologist report if required or available.

Current State of the Art - The creation of surface rendered images from basic CT data is typically available using expensive software on a dedicated high-end (typically UNIX or double processor PC) workstations. It is usually exported as hard copy 2D pictures and is generally operated by specialists (Radiologists) and is only installed in radiography clinics, large hospitals and large research centres. The option of digitally transferring the files to a PC (or similar machine) and at a high standard is currently not an option, as the objects cannot be exported due to their usable file sizes. Using the diagnostic modalities of CT in medical practice requires patients have scans at a specific scanning site, their models created and developed by a radiographer, based on their understanding of the clinician’s needs and physically transported as hard copy to the clinician. In the current environment, there is no ability for the clinician to conveniently manipulate or view the exact orientation of the obtained object and the 3D object itself cannot be exported. Further the software and hardware to perform such an image is not generally available to the clinician due to its specialised nature and cost. The image files generated are typically large and are not of a form that could be easily transported over a network or the Internet. From a medical perspective, the ability of the clinician to select the specific view of the anatomical area would have a great advantage particularly if such software was not expensive and no specialised hardware was required for its operation.

True Life Anatomy Software Innovation - The creation of a new file format developed with tailored compression algorithms to produce a surface rendered image file of a size that can be easily exported and which contains the original raster CT images in a compressed form, the 3D model as well as scan and patient demographic and diagnostic data is a major medical innovation. This coupled with a simple (software based) reader to view the 3D rendered object and perform basic manipulation will allow the clinician to orientate views of fractures or injuries and facilitate better therapeutic options. The innovation of this software is both in the clinically applicable and accessible representation of the CT data, and in the compression algorithms, which subsequently facilitate digital transfer. True Life Anatomy creates a new file format - .tla files, which will accept the compressed file and allow automatic loading and simple manipulation of the images, using the TLA Viewer.

Performance

The TLA software requires current P4 or AMD or equivalent processors for optimal performance, but will function with lesser hardware resources. The raw CT data that would be delivered by Network using DICOM protocol and by CD can typically be 100 – 500MB in size. This places a significant stain on the hardware and requires maximum RAM. The TLA Generator programme accepts the raw CT data and create a .tla file that contains the 3D model plus the original 2D data but in a compressed form. These image which are of high graphic quality are generally 10 – 20MB in size and can therefore be accessed by the TLA Viewer programme using more modest hardware. A major criteria identified as critical to the functionality of the software if the user friendly interface, which would be applicable for Medical practioners and other users who may have limited IT skills. The TLA Generator software requires some specific training to maximise utilisation. However the TLA Viewer is extremely intuitive and user friendly, and during beta and alpha trials was easily mastered by virtually all practioners without any specific training. The interface was developed in close association with the non-IT users and the layout of tools reflects a flow pattern of thought process characteristic of that group. The vast array of functions required for high-end 3D graphics programmes requires similar tools to be grouped. In the TLA software there far fewer tools required and they are distributed in a step-wise flow pattern around the GUI that is intuitive and easy to follow. The performance requirement of this software are met because:

1. Hardware required is readily available current PC but with additional RAM,
2. User friendly and intuitive interface.
3. Combined image, scan and patient diagnostic data in the unique .tla format
4. File can be exported on CD media or over network
5. Export of 3D images into a graphic environment the is accessible to researchers increases access to CT data
6. Able to handle large raw CT data files by selecting portions of the data set
7. Robust programming with optimised code generation- facilitating easy upgrading.
8. Registration and IP security automated to simplify installation procedures.
9. Functionality to perform as a workstation on a LAN accepting DICOM protocol data from Scanners or as a stand-alone computer loading data by CD
10. Possess novel features that assist the creation of the image by utilising a low resolution preview facility, slice marker to relate the 2D slice to the corresponding 3D position and the ability to separate components of the object and then hide or make transparent to allow a better appreciation of the 3 dimensional anatomical relationships
11. Allows measurement of angle and distance in 3D, an option previously unavailable on conventional CT 3D image modalities.

Potential

By digitally identifying the relationship between various objects in an anatomical region at rest and during movement the rules that control that motion sequence can be determined. If sufficient accuracy can be achieved in rules characterisation, the response to various situations will replicate the real situation and allow testing of previously unrecognised mechanical modifiers; hence the opportunity to test new operations is unprecedented. By creating surface rendered images and models and then producing motion stimulation based on actual patient scan data, it will be possible to provide: