4D Flow Cardiac MRI Data Visualization using Virtual Reality (VR) Technology

The 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents a state-of-the-art imaging technique, providing advanced insights into the heart chambers and arterial network with enhanced levels of detail. The latest breakthroughs in 4D flow MRI have significantly broadened the possibilities for evaluating cardiovascular disease. This, in turn, offers unparalleled capabilities for conducting a comprehensive quantitative assessment of blood flows within the cardiovascular system. Thus, clinicians can enhance their visualization of blood flow throughout the cardiovascular system using this imaging technology. While the 4D flow MRI offers clinicians intricate blood flow coherent structures, its effectiveness could be significantly enhanced by integrating real-time immersive visualization technology, such as Virtual Reality (VR) systems. In this research, we have created a customized VR environment that integrates 4D flow MRI scans with an advanced wireless VR system, enabling medical professionals to interact with the scanned data. Not only is the system sufficiently flexible for visualization purposes, but it also enables the extraction of quantitative features, facilitating precise cardiovascular diagnostics.