Camera-Aided Surgical Simulator with Off-Tool Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current simulators for minimally invasive surgical training are costly and limited in availability, failing to provide adequate training and assessment opportunities for surgeons, particularly due to high expenses and restricted training time, which hampers the development of fundamental skills required by the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) program.
Innovation Solution
A portable and low-cost surgical training system that includes fiducials and a support structure to constrain tool movement, with off-tool detectors tracking the position and orientation of surgical instruments, generating a tool path for a virtual rendering of the surgical tool in a simulated environment, allowing for objective assessment of task performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-end simulators are used for surgical training, then training quality is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual reality to create a digital copy of the surgical environment and tools, allowing trainees to practice in a simulated operating room that replicates real surgical conditions without requiring expensive physical equipment. The virtual surgical tool replicates the functionality of real instruments while eliminating the need for costly consumable materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical training equipment with a digital virtual reality system. Instead of using expensive physical simulators that require maintenance and consumable materials, the system uses software-based virtual environments that can be replicated indefinitely at minimal cost.
2Measurement precision
If physical FLS training materials are used, then assessment accuracy is improved, but training time is consumed and logistics become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the FLS training materials and assessment tasks within the virtual reality environment. Trainees can perform the same fundamental skills tasks (peg transfer, precision cutting, ligating loop, suturing) in a virtual setting that replicates the physical assessment conditions, eliminating the need to travel to testing centers and schedule formal evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows trainees to perform assessment tasks during regular training time rather than requiring separate formal evaluation appointments. The virtual environment enables continuous practice and assessment integration into the training workflow, eliminating delays associated with scheduling and traveling to physical testing centers.
3Productivity
If more training opportunities are provided, then skill mastery is improved, but device availability becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal virtual training platform that can be accessed by multiple trainees simultaneously without physical resource constraints. The same virtual environment and tools can be used indefinitely by unlimited users, eliminating the scarcity issue inherent in physical simulator availability and allowing comprehensive training for all trainees regardless of numbers.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for surgical training with low cost, reusable materials and a highly customizable virtual environment for skill-building. According to various embodiments, a surgical training tool is usable in conjunction with a support structure configured to at least partially constrain the tool movement. Meanwhile, the tool is tracked in real-time with off-tool detectors to generate a tool path driving a virtual rendering of the surgical training tool in an operative environment. The virtual rendering may be visually observable via a display device and may include a customizable and/or selectable operative environment with one or more structures that can be operated on by the virtual surgical training tool. By tracking the virtual tool interaction with the virtual structures, a task path may be established for documenting and/or objectively assessing the performance of one or more operative tasks.