5 at the Fair: Virtual tour of the human brain

There are hundreds of exhibits to check out at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, and one attraction is using interactive technology to teach fairgoers about their bodies.

Kevin Doran met with Dr. Clark Chen, a neurosurgeon at the University of Minnesota, to explore the human brain using virtual reality.

Chen uses a VR headset to get a 3D view of patients’ brain scans so he can rehearse his surgeries and see delicate areas around the tumors — such as blood vessels and optical nerves — that must be avoided at all costs. Chen said the technology is useful for teaching medical students, too.

M Health Fairview is one of just 25 places in the country to use the technology, which you can see for yourself at the University of Minnesota building.