VRML visualization in a surgery planning and diagnostics application

In this paper we want to analyze how the high-level languages Java and VRML can be used for 3D medical imaging and simulation on a PC. We want to compare two different approaches to use Java combined with VRML. One approach is to use Java locally inside VRML (JSAI), the other is to control a VRML environment externally from Java (EAI). We also examine the usefulness of VRML animation used for surgery simulation.First we describe a VRML centered application using Java for behavior processing through the JSAI script interface. This is done using the best publicly available browsers. This approach causes problems due to difficulties in handling the very complex models needed and in the limited Java support.A second implementation is centered around a Java application, where the VRML browser is handled as a Java component. The VRML browser is controlled from Java through the EAI external application interface. VRML animation is used in both prototypes. We use our in-house developed VRML library Hybris for the second implementation, where we have full control over the VRML engine and rendering engine which allows better handling of larger models.