Summary
3D Point of Care (3D PoC) is a new clinical framework that applies 3D printing and advanced digital visualization technologies directly at the patient’s side to support personalized medicine. By generating patient‑specific anatomical models, surgical guides, device prototypes, and AR/VR‑based three‑dimensional visualizations, 3D PoC is increasingly used for preoperative planning, transcatheter procedure simulation, and patient and clinician education, with anticipated benefits including improved diagnostic accuracy, shorter procedure times, and reduced complications.
This project will deploy 3D PoC technologies across multiple clinical departments—including cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery—and evaluate the utility of VR models and 3D‑printed models in preoperative planning, device selection, and procedural simulation. We will assess their impact on procedure duration, surgeons’ spatial understanding, patient comprehension, and clinical outcomes, thereby building interdisciplinary clinical evidence for 3D PoC implementation.
To address the current limitation of “untouchable three‑dimensional information,” the project integrates Keio University’s strengths in haptics technology. In collaboration with researchers from the Graduate School of Media Design and the Faculty of Science and Technology, we aim to develop next‑generation simulation environments that reproduce tactile and force feedback within VR, enabling realistic interaction with anatomical structures and medical devices. This fusion of visual and haptic modalities will provide unprecedented immersion and practical fidelity.
Through this research, we will establish the foundation for a cross‑disciplinary “3D PoC Center” that connects clinicians and researchers within and beyond Keio University. The outcomes will support future applications to KAKENHI (Grant‑in‑Aid for Scientific Research B) and AMED programs, advancing the development of a national hub for 3D PoC research, education, and clinical implementation in Japan.
Members
Principal Investigator