Interactive visualization tool for electrode placement and assessment of transthoracic defibrillation thresholds

In this paper, we describe the implementation of a scientific data visualization tool for rendering transthoracic defibrillation simulation results. The visualization tool includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides functionality for the interactive change of the shape, size and position of a defibrillator's electrodes. Also, an option for visualizing slices through the myocardium, such that the distribution of the magnitude of the electric field can be visually inspected is included in the tool. The goal of the tool is to enhance understanding of how electrode parameters relate to the change of the electric field values throughout the heart. The tool is significant in that it integrates simulation and visualization software, which previously required the execution of several independent software executables, into a single comprehensive software tool.