Purpose: Convatec, Inc. was in need of a high-science, 3-D animation that could help explain the overall features and benefits of Hydrofiber incorporated into wound dressings. The team at iMed Studios created this animation for physicians and health care professionals to explain the unique features of the Hydrofiber-incorporated wound-dressing product. iMed's animation helped to differentiate and create Hydrofiber as a dynamic technology brand, bringing wound-healing science to life, and visually explaining the Hydrofiber features.

Final Presentation Format: CD-ROM distribution and convention booth presentations.

Software: Autodesk 3ds Max, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Encore, Adobe Audition, and Microsoft Office Products

©2009 iMed Studios. All Rights Reserved

Purpose: InViVo was approached by our client, Sanofi-Pasteur, Inc., to create an animation that would educate physicians about Herpes Zoster (HZ). The goal of the animation was to provide background information on the disease, and describe many of the key symptoms, including Postherpatic Neuralgia (PHN). After presenting the information on HZ, the client then wanted to present information about a new preventative treatment and its mechanism of action.

Software: Autodesk 3ds Max and Adobe After Effects
 
©2009  Kevin Millar & InViVo Communications.  All Rights Reserved.

Purpose: To create an animation for Allos Therapeutics, that demonstrates the mechanism of action of Pralatrexate (PDX), a new antifolate for the treatment of cancer. The audience was oncologists and other allied health care professionals.

Additional goals were:
To specifically demonstrate the uptake and transport of PDX by the reduced folate carrier (RFC-1) on surface of cancer cells.

• To show polyglutamylation of intercellular PDX by folylpolyglutamate (FPGS).
• To demonstrate intercellular retention and accumulation of polyglutamylated PDX and the efflux of non-polyglutamylated PDX by MRP-ATPase.
• To demonstrate the inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and nucleotide synthesis, cell cycle arrest, and eventual apoptosis by polyglutamylated PDX.

Final Presentation Format: An immersive 120" tall, high-definition, vertical animation for a trade show venue. Included in the animation is a unique opening effect through use of a "powers of ten" camera movement. Interest was heightened by use of a narrow depth of field, warm analogous color palette, and original music. 

Software: Maya, Photoshop, and After Effects

©2009  Keith Kasnot and Craig Foster.  All Rights Reserved.

Purpose: The XVIVO team created this animation for the medical device company Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Pulling from the application directions in their product packaging, XVIVO was able to bring the key dressing application steps to life through 3D animation. The V.A.C.® Therapy dressing materials were modeled and textured from the actual product provided by the client. After the development of this program, pieces of the animation were edited into an abbreviated application process for the V.A.C.® Therapy MOA for diabetic foot ulcers.

Software: The program was modeled and animated in Softimage XSI, composited in After Effects, and edited in Final Cut Pro.

©2009  XVIVO Scientific Animation.  All Rights Reserved.

Purpose:  This film explores the core science concepts of skin integrity behind the development of a novel dermatological product. Our visual challenges included showing how connections at the molecular level translate to integrity at the tissue level, and illustrating the connection between tension and tissue elevation. When such connections are lost, so is tension. The tissue then flattens, as illustrated in the film’s finale. AXS created this short film for skin biology researchers to use as a visual aid in presentations within a leading cosmetics company.

Software: Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects

©2009 AXS Biomedical Animation Studio.  All Rights Reserved.

Purpose:  “Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Injection” was developed as a series of animated sequences combining 2-D and 3-D digital animation, live video footage, and fluoroscopic imagery to demonstrate how a typical cervical transforaminal epidural injection procedure is performed. The primary purpose of the presentation was to combat any preconceived impression by jurors that cervical epidural injections are nothing more than superficial (subcutaneous or intramuscular) injections.

In order to allow the animation to be used to describe the procedure at various sites along the spine, the cervical level anatomy was deliberately made vague/nonspecific to avoid showing the injection at a specific cervical level. The sequences initially focus on establishing knowledge of the relative anatomy within the positioned patient, followed by the mechanism of introduction of a spinal needle and injectate for pain management (or diagnostic purposes) in procedural sequence.

Software applications: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, Adobe After Effects, and Autodesk 3DS Max.

©2009  MediVisuals, Inc.  All Rights Reserved

Purpose: This animation was used in a plaintiff personal injury insurance claim. After sustaining trauma to the lateral aspect of her right foot, pain caused this client to shift her weight-bearing to the medial aspect of that foot. This resulted in same-sided (ipsilateral) knee degeneration – in contrast to the expected contralateral degeneration. The purpose of this animation was to demonstrate how altered gait mechanics caused increased stresses on the lateral aspect of the knee and accelerated underlying pre-existing osteoarthritis. This animation assisted the legal team in formulating their argument and presenting the relevant case information.

©2009 Artery Studios.  All Rights Reserved

Purpose: Our challenge was to clearly and concisely present complex neuroanatomy to a television audience.  Included in this animation are the following:

• the conversion of sound into music by the human brain
• an introduction to the neuroanatomy involved in playing an instrument
• the release of dopamine in the brain stimulated by a hearing a favorite song

The quick pace of TV editing demanded an innovative way to represent complex brain activity - one that was impactful and obvious, yet true to the anatomy. We achieved this with a fiber-optic like representation of neural circuitry. 

Software: Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects

©2009 AXS Biomedical Animation Studio.  All Rights Reserved.

Purpose: The goal of this animation was to outline the kinematic differences between novice (low-calibre) and advanced (high-calibre) hockey skaters, specifically with regards to the biomechanics of the skater’s knee and hip joints.

This 2D animation was created using Autodesk Maya 8.5, Adobe After Effects CS2, and Photoshop CS2.

©2009  Peter Leynes.  All Rights Reserved

Purpose: The Intra Uterine Device (ParaGard T380A) insertion animation was developed for Access Medicine, McGraw-Hill’s online medical resource, and William’s Gynecology textbook. The animation is intended to enhance the medical student’s and health professional’s understanding of the IUD insertion technique.
This 2D animation was created using Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere.

©2009  Carlos G. Gonzalez.  All Rights Reserved

Purpose: The purpose of this animation was to visualize the complex motion of endolymph (the fluid contained in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear) during head movement, simultaneously showing movement of the head, vestibular apparatus, endolymph, and cristae ampullaris. The audience is first-year medical students.
This animation was created using Cinema 4D and After Effects.

©2009  Mark A. Magnum.  All Rights Reserved.