Virtual reality, ultrasound-guided liver biopsy simulator: Development and performance discrimination

Objectives: The aim of this article was to identify and prospectively investigate simulated ultrasound-guided targeted liver biopsy performance metrics as differentiators between levels of expertise in interventional radiology.Methods: Task analysis produced detailed procedural step documentation allowing identification of critical procedure steps and performance metrics for use in a virtual reality ultrasound-guided targeted liver biopsy procedure. Consultant (n=14; male=11, female=3) and trainee (n=26; male=19, female=7) scores on the performance metricswere compared. Ethical approval was granted by the Liverpool Research Ethics Committee (UK). Independent t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) investigated differences between groups.Results: Independent t-tests revealed significant differences between trainees and consultants on three performance metrics: targeting, p=0.018, t=22.487 (22.040 to20.207); probe usage time, p=0.040, t=2.132 (11.064 to 427.983); mean needle length in beam, p=0.029, t=22.272 (20.028 to 20.002). ANOVA reported significant differences across years of experience (0–1, 1–2, 3+ years) on seven performance metrics: no-go area touched, p=0.012; targeting, p=0.025; length of session, p=0.024; probe usage time, p=0.025; total needle distance moved, p=0.038; number of skin contacts, p<0.001; total time in no-go area, p=0.008. More experienced participants consistently received better performance scores on all 19 performance metrics.Conclusion: It is possible to measure and monitor performance using simulation, with performance metrics providing feedback on skill level and differentiating levels of expertise. However, a transfer of training study is required

7th Drug hypersensitivity meeting: part two

No abstract availabl

Importance of Virtual Reality Simulators in Interventional Radiology: the ImaGiNe-S CIRSE 2008 Experience.

4 pagesAIM: To determine face and content validity of a physics based virtual reality interventional radiology simulator, Imagine-S (Imaging guided interventional needle puncture simulation)

A tuneable switch for controlling environmental degradation of bioplastics: addition of isothiazolinone to polyhydroxyalkanoates

Controlling the environmental degradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyvalerate (P(HB-co-HV)) bioplastics would expand the range of their potential applications. Combining PHB and P(HB-co-HV) films with the anti-fouling agent 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one(DCOI