A dual view interactive framework with linked 2D and 3D visualisation enhances cerebral artery exploration in mixed reality

Abstract

Understanding the topology of cerebral arteries is crucial for neuro-interventional planning and medical education. Conventional 2D displays often suffer from projection ambiguity and severe occlusion. This study introduces a mixed reality system that integrates 3D vessel representation with a topology-aware 2D abstract layout, enabling segment-level path exploration and annotation. We propose two structured interaction techniques: Segment-Based Interaction (SBI) for direct 3D manipulation and Topology-Guided Selection (TGS) for indirect 2D selection with synchronized 3D feedback. A controlled user study demonstrates that the 2D + 3D configuration improves efficiency and reduces head movement in complex path-marking tasks, suggesting the potential of topology-guided 2D assistance for MR-based vascular exploration and training-oriented scenarios.