iPad App From Healthline Offers 3D View of Human Anatomy

Healthline Networks has launched an iPad version of its BodyMaps application to provide 3D graphics and animations of the human anatomy fit for the Apple tablet.

The application developer, which operates a medical reference site called Healthline.com, launched the app on Sept. 4. Healthline introduced the Web-based version of BodyMaps in May 2011 as a consumer education tool, and now the iPad app is suitable for health care workers and educators, according to the company.

BodyMaps incorporates more than 1,000 anatomical structures and 30 rotatable models of parts of the body for both males and females.

Cardiologists, neurologists and orthopedists will particularly benefit from the detail of the human anatomy presented in the app. The iPad will allow users to zoom in on the image, mark up body features and share the notations through email.

In addition, the iPad version allows users to move up or down to various sections of the body and choose a male/female toggle. The iPad’s Retina high-definition display will make the details of the anatomy easier to study, Healthline reported.

The touch-screen features of the Apple tablet allows users to pinch, expand, drag and tap on the images. Users can also share images on Facebook or through email.

General Electric funded the creation of the app through its Healthymagination initiative, which promotes the development of health care technology to improve care and lower costs.

Visible Productions produced the 3-D modeling, high resolution graphics and animations, as well as 200 videos, which cover various health conditions and related symptoms and procedures. Healthline developed the app, including its written content.

From layers of muscle to organs and bones, the rich detail of the app allows patients to watch videos and view 3D images to see how osteoarthritis affects the knee or appendicitis affects the abdomen.

Doctors, nurses, chiropractors and physical therapy students will be able to use the app to get an introduction to the anatomy or complement other anatomy apps, according to the company.

Physicians could refer to BodyMaps during an exam to explain a patient’s condition by showing videos and marking images on the iPad. Patients will be able to mark up images to prepare questions for their doctor.

By viewing the images and diagrams of the anatomy, patients will be able to better communicate with doctors about their conditions, Healthline reported.

Healthline’s Medically Guided Search technology allows common terms such as “eardrum” to be matched with more clinical synonyms, such as “tympanic membrane.” The technology also maps video content.

On May 14 Healthline launched its Consumer Engagement Platform, which allows health insurers and businesses to offer members and employees the ability to search health data from electronic health records and medical claims contextually.

“BodyMaps for iPad brings human anatomy to life for everyone,” West Shell III, chairman and CEO of Healthline Networks, said in a statement. “The exceptionally high-quality imagery combined with our industry-leading health search technology, simple navigation and compelling content makes it a powerful learning tool, one that grows with users as they increase their knowledge levels over time.”

The BodyMaps app, which costs $8.99 for a single-gender version and $14.99 for both genders for $14.99, allows users to perform virtual dissections as they rotate through the 3D anatomy.