The benefits of the Atlas of Human Cardiac Anatomy website for the design of cardiac devices

• Published in: Expert review of medical devices Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 729 - 734
• Main Authors: Spencer, Julianne H, Quill, Jason L, Bateman, Michael G, Eggen, Michael D, Howard, Stephen A, Goff, Ryan P, Howard, Brian T, Quallich, Stephen G, Iaizzo, Paul A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01.11.2013; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Anatomy; anatomy education; Anatomy, Artistic; Atlases as Topic; cardiac anatomy; cardiac imaging; device development; Equipment and Supplies; Equipment Design; functional anatomy; Heart - anatomy & histology; Heart - physiology; Humans; Internet
• ISSN: 1743-4440; 1745-2422
• DOI: 10.1586/17434440.2013.843449

This paper describes how the Atlas of Human Cardiac Anatomy website can be used to improve cardiac device design throughout the process of development. The Atlas is a free-access website featuring novel images of both functional and fixed human cardiac anatomy from over 250 human heart specimens. This website provides numerous educational tutorials on anatomy, physiology and various imaging modalities. For instance, the 'device tutorial' provides examples of devices that were either present at the time of in vitro reanimation or were subsequently delivered, including leads, catheters, valves, annuloplasty rings and stents. Another section of the website displays 3D models of the vasculature, blood volumes and/or tissue volumes reconstructed from computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of various heart specimens. The website shares library images, video clips and computed tomography and MRI DICOM files in honor of the generous gifts received from donors and their families.