Influence of anatomic landmarks in the virtual environment on simulated angled laparoscope navigation

Background - The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the presence of anatomic landmarks on the performance of angled laparoscope navigation on the SimSurgery SEP simulator. Methods - Twenty-eight experienced laparoscopic surgeons (familiar with 30º angled laparoscope, >100 basic laparoscopic procedures, >5 advanced laparoscopic procedures) and 23 novices (no laparoscopy experience) performed the Camera Navigation task in an abstract virtual environment (CN-box) and in a virtual representation of the lower abdomen (CN-abdomen). They also rated the realism and added value of the virtual environments on seven-point scales. Results - Within both groups, the CN-box task was accomplished in less time and with shorter tip trajectory than the CN-abdomen task (Wilcoxon test, p0.05). In both groups, the CN tasks were perceived as hard work and more challenging than anticipated. Conclusions - Performance of the angled laparoscope navigation task is influenced by the virtual environment surrounding the exercise. The task was performed better in an abstract environment than in a virtual environment with anatomic landmarks. More insight is required into the influence and function of different types of intrinsic and extrinsic feedback on the effectiveness of preclinical simulator training.Industrial DesignIndustrial Design Engineerin

Awareness of surgeons and surgical trainees of online web-based techniques for teaching laparoscopic surgery in north Queensland

Background: For generations, surgical training has followed the example of an apprenticeship model. However, many doctors see this training as insufficient and potentially unsafe for the patient. Web-based simulation training for teaching laparoscopic surgery is not only becoming increasingly popular but is cheaper in comparison to the traditional apprenticeship method. Objective is to assess the educational value of web-based training videos Methods: Data was obtained through questionnaires sent to consultant surgeons and surgical trainees at three sites in North Queensland. Study invited participants to complete a 24-item questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes. The questionnaires were distributed using online survey monkey software to send emails to the three Government Hospitals. Results: There was a response rate of 11.40%, Consultant surgeons (13/17; 72.20%) and surgical trainees (4/17; 22.20%). Majority of participant`s sources of learning laparoscopic surgery was from supervisors in operating theatre (64.30%) and online Web-based training video (WBTV; 7.10%), although satisfaction with current web-based training video resources was found to vary widely for a variety of reasons. WBTV were used mainly when required for clinical rotation. Conclusions: There was a response rate of 11.40%, Consultant surgeons (13/17; 72.20%) and surgical trainees (4/17; 22.20%). Majority of participant`s sources of learning laparoscopic surgery was from supervisors in operating theatre (64.30%) and online Web-based training video (WBTV; 7.10%), although satisfaction with current web-based training video resources was found to vary widely for a variety of reasons. WBTV were used mainly when required for clinical rotation

Plug-in for visualizing 3D tool tracking from videos of Minimally Invasive Surgeries

This paper tackles instrument tracking and 3D visualization challenges in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), crucial for computer-assisted interventions. Conventional and robot-assisted MIS encounter issues with limited 2D camera projections and minimal hardware integration. The objective is to track and visualize the entire surgical instrument, including shaft and metallic clasper, enabling safe navigation within the surgical environment. The proposed method involves 2D tracking based on segmentation maps, facilitating creation of labeled dataset without extensive ground-truth knowledge. Geometric changes in 2D intervals express motion, and kinematics based algorithms process results into 3D tracking information. Synthesized and experimental results in 2D and 3D motion estimates demonstrate negligible errors, validating the method for labeling and motion tracking of instruments in MIS videos. The conclusion underscores the proposed 2D segmentation technique's simplicity and computational efficiency, emphasizing its potential as direct plug-in for 3D visualization in instrument tracking and MIS practices

Building a Open Source Framework for Virtual Medical Training

This paper presents a framework to build medical training applications by using virtual reality and a tool that helps the class instantiation of this framework. The main purpose is to make easier the building of virtual reality applications in the medical training area, considering systems to simulate biopsy exams and make available deformation, collision detection, and stereoscopy functionalities. The instantiation of the classes allows quick implementation of the tools for such a purpose, thus reducing errors and offering low cost due to the use of open source tools. Using the instantiation tool, the process of building applications is fast and easy. Therefore, computer programmers can obtain an initial application and adapt it to their needs. This tool allows the user to include, delete, and edit parameters in the functionalities chosen as well as storing these parameters for future use. In order to verify the efficiency of the framework, some case studies are presented

Integration of New Features for Telerobotic Surgery into The Mirosurge System

International audienc

VEmap: A Visualization Tool for Evaluating Emotional Responses in Virtual Environments

VEMap (virtual emotion map) can be seen as an advanced application of virtual environment (VE) technology to aid with design activities in architecture and urban planning, which can assist designers to understand users’ opinions. The aim of this research and development work is to create a software application that allows designers to evaluate a user’s emotional response to virtual representations of architectural or urban planning environments. In this project, a galvanic skin response (GSR) test is adopted as an objective measurement for collecting skin conductance data representing emotional arousal. At the same time, the user’s self-reports are used as a form of subjective measurement for identifying emotional valence (i.e. positive, neutral, and negative). Finally, all of the information collected from both GSR readings (objective measurement) and self-reports (subjective measurement) are converted into coloured dots on the base map of the corresponding virtual environment (VE). According to the results of the VEmap evaluation and validation procedure, the beta-testing and evaluation of this project has been confirmed that VEmap may interpret users’ emotional changes as evoked by VE mostly. From a usability perspective, there is no obvious difficulty present for participants on all the controls. Moreover, according to participants’ comments, VEmap may increase users’ interests and promote their involvement if it is applied in architectural design and urban planning. However, gender might have influence on self-report part, and virtual reality usage or 3D game experiences might affect navigation in VE

A Surface Mass-Spring Model with New Flexion Springs and Collision Detection Algorithms Based on Volume Structure for Real-time Soft-tissue Deformation Interaction

A critical problem associated with surgical simulation is balancing deformation accuracy with real-time performance. Although the canonical surface mass-spring model (MSM) can provide an excellent real-time performance, it fails to provide effective shape restoration behavior when generating large deformations. This significantly influences its deformation accuracy. To address this problem, this paper proposes a modified surface MSM. In the proposed MSM, a new flexion spring is first developed to oppose bending based on the included angle between the initial position vector and the deformational position vector, improving the shape restoration performance and enhance the deformational accuracy of MSM; then, a new type of surface triangular topological unit is developed for enhancing the computational efficiency and better adapting to the different topological soft tissue deformational models. In addition, to further improve the accuracy of deformational interactions between the soft tissue and surgical instruments, we also propose two new collision detection algorithms. One is the discrete collision detection with the volumetric structure (DCDVS), applying a volumetric structure to extend the effective range of collision detection; the other is the hybrid collision detection with the volumetric structure (HCDVS), introducing the interpolation techniques of the continuous collision detection to DCDVS. Experimental results show that the proposed MSM with DCDVS or HCDVS can achieve accurate and stable shape restoration and show the real-time interactive capability in the virtual artery vessel and heart compared with the canonical surface MSM and new volume MSM