Himmelfarb Library has excellent technology tools to help enhance your learning and research! As the Fall 2023 semester begins, set aside some time to explore our 3D printing program and try out our BodyViz and virtual reality software.
3D Printing
Thanks to a generous grant from the GW Hospital Women’s Board, Himmelfarb is able to offer free 3D printing to faculty, staff, and students of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nursing, the School of Public Health, Medical Faculty Associates, and the GW Hospital. Himmelfarb has two 3D printers (a Zortrax M200 and M200+) and is currently accepting print requests!
While there are no limits to the number of 3D printing requests you can submit, priority will be given to requests that support teaching, learning, and research. Recreational requests will be placed at the end of the queue and may be limited to one per month per user when we are experiencing a high demand for 3D printing. Learn more about how 3D printing works, where to find 3D models, and how to submit a 3D print job on our 3D Printing at Himmelfarb Guide!
Quest Virtual Reality Headsets
Thanks to a generous grant from the Bloedorn Foundation, Himmelfarb has two Quest virtual reality (VR) headsets available for checkout. Each headset is preloaded with the Medicalholodeck Medical VR platform. This platform includes Anatomy Master XR, Medical Imaging XR, and Dissection Master XR. Anatomy Master XR features anatomy models similar to those found in textbooks but in a three-dimensional interactive format. Medical Imaging XR is a system for rendering and manipulating objects based on medical imaging such as MRI and CT scans.
Dissection Master XR showcases high-resolution images of human dissections created specifically for learning and teaching anatomy layer by layer. Check out the video below for a brief demonstration of Dissection Master XR:
VR headsets are available to check out for 4-hour loan periods from the Himmelarb Circulation Desk and can be used in Himmelfarb Library and Ross Hall. Check out our VR Headsets Guide to learn more about this amazing technology. If you’d like a one-on-one tutorial to learn how to use the headsets, email himmelfarb@gwu.edu to make an appointment.
BodyViz
BodyViz is an interactive anatomy visualization tool that lets users view, study, and manipulate 3D anatomical structures. 3D models allow users to zoom in and rotate models to view different angles. You can also adjust brightness, contrast, and color based on tissue density, and highlight or filter by bone, muscle, organ, or vasculature. The clipping mode allows you to slice into the models to digitally dissect the models in order to isolate areas of interest or to expose internal structures.
The BodyViz suite is on Himmelfarb’s third floor in Himmelfarb 305A, adjacent to the Bloedorn Technology Center. Be sure to reserve the BodyViz suite (available for one to four-hour sessions) prior to using BodyViz! Stop by the Circulation Desk to check out the wireless keyboard, game controller, and remote control equipment before heading up to the third floor. To learn more, explore our BodyViz Guide.
