An integrative approach to high-performance biomedical problem solving environments on the grid

We conduct computer simulation experiments in pre-operative planning of vascular reconstruction with a physician in the experimental loop. We constructed a problem solving environment, which offers an integrative approach for constructing and running complex interactive systems. Grid resources are used for access to medical image repositories, segmentation services, simulation of blood flow, and visualization in virtual environments of the simulated results together with medical data obtained from MRI/CT scanners. This case study in vascular reconstruction planning has been validated via contextual analysis in a number of hospitals, resulting in a set of new requirements gathered for future versions of the system. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.