ABSTRACT
Virtual reality systems seems to be useful for training the use of brain spatulas without damaging brain tissue but the success of such a system is dependant on the human ability to discriminate pressures applied with the spatula. This paper describes an experiment designed to explore some central issues related to this ability: are surgeons better than laypeople, are the abilities in Virtual Reality (VR) and real world (RW) comparable, and will visual feedback enhance the ability. A group of surgeons and a control group of laypeople were tested in VR and RW. The results showed that surgeons performed better than the control group in RW but worse in VR, and that visual feedback improved the surgeons' abilities more than the control group. The results indicated that visual feedback is important for the success of such a virtual training system.
Subject(s)
Computer Simulation , User-Computer Interface , HumansABSTRACT
This paper describes a method for surgery simulation, or more specifically a learning system of how to use a brain spatula. Improper use of brain spatulas can lead to brain tissue lesions such as tearing of brain tissue and ischemia. The idea is to provide surgeons with a tool which can teach them the correlation between deformation and applied force. The system includes a Finite Element based model of the brain in a Virtual Reality setup with haptic feedback. The physical model links the shape of the deformable model with the associated force. The interaction between the spatula and the brain model is handled by a collision response method which aims at smoothing the discrete haptic feedback. The experimental results are promising even though the used force feedback device is somewhat constraining the realism.
Subject(s)
Brain/physiology , Brain/surgery , Computer Simulation , Models, Anatomic , Neurosurgical Procedures/education , Neurosurgical Procedures/methods , User-Computer Interface , Algorithms , Artificial Intelligence , Brain/anatomy & histology , Computer Graphics , Computer-Assisted Instruction , Denmark , Elasticity , Environment , Feedback , Finite Element Analysis , Humans , Microsurgery/education , Microsurgery/instrumentation , Microsurgery/methods , Neurosurgical Procedures/instrumentation , Online Systems , Pattern Recognition, Automated , Stress, MechanicalABSTRACT
A computer based virtual reality system is presented allowing the user to train skills related to brain retraction. The system is designed and the core training system implemented and tested. The initial test shows promising results.
