Lead PI:
Center Researchers:
Collaborating Partners
- LucidDream
The Challenge
Simulating blood flow through healthy and diseased arteries using high-performance computing generates vast, voxel-based datasets—essentially 3D grids of pressure and flow metrics resembling a “Minecraft-like” model of the body. However, this data is difficult to visualize dynamically, especially on resource-constrained devices like standalone VR/AR headsets.
The challenge was to transform these complex, high-resolution simulations into intuitive, animated visuals that could be experienced in real time.
Our Solution
The team developed an automated workflow to convert voxel-based simulation data into efficient, animated 3D visualizations viewable in extended reality environments.
Using ParaView, we exported blood flow simulations frame-by-frame into PLY model formats with color-coded flow and pressure data. We then used Houdini software to create 2D textures for each frame. By flipping through the 2D textures, the system animates blood flow changes, enabling smooth, resource-efficient animations on devices such as the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest.
These tools allow us to build maps of these metrics that are associated with the localization and progression of heart disease. The simulations allow clinicians and researchers to interact with the information in a VR/AR environment and extract meaningful metrics about blood flow, such as velocity, pressure, and locations of disturbed flow.
We’ve also demonstrated their use for diagnosing and treating cerebral aneurysms, aortic coarctation, and peripheral arterial disease, to name a few.
This work is currently on display in the lobby of the Karsch Alumni Center at Duke.