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Abstract Successful surgical operations are characterized by preplanning routines to be executed during actual surgical operations. To achieve this, surgeons rely on the experience acquired from the use of cadavers, enabling technologies like virtual reality (VR) and clinical years of practice. However, cadavers, having no dynamism and realism as they lack blood, can exhibit limited tissue degradation and shrinkage, while current VR systems do not provide amplified haptic feedback. This can impact surgical training increasing the likelihood of medical errors. This work proposes a novel Mixed Reality Combination System (MRCS) that pairs Augmented Reality (AR) technology and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor with 3D printed, collagen-based specimens that can enhance task performance like planning and execution. To achieve this, the MRCS charts out a path prior to a user task execution based on a visual, physical, and dynamic environment on the state of a target object by utilizing surgeon-created virtual imagery that, when projected onto a 3D printed biospecimen as AR, reacts visually to user input on its actual physical state. This allows a real-time user reaction of the MRCS by displaying new multi-sensory virtual states of an object prior to performing on the actual physical state of that same object enabling effective task planning. Tracked user actions using an integrated 9-Degree of Freedom IMU demonstrate task execution This demonstrates that a user, with limited knowledge of specific anatomy, can, under guidance, execute a preplanned task. In addition, to surgical planning, this system can be generally applied in areas such as construction, maintenance, and education.
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Stand in surgeon’s shoes: virtual reality cross-training to enhance teamwork in surgery
Purpose Teamwork in surgery depends on a shared mental model of success, i.e., a common understanding of objectives in the operating room. A shared model leads to increased engagement among team members and is associated with fewer complications and overall better outcomes for patients. However, clinical training typically focuses on role-specific skills, leaving individuals to acquire a shared model indirectly through on-the-job experience. Methods We investigate whether virtual reality (VR) cross-training, i.e, exposure to other roles, can enhance a shared mental model for non-surgeons more directly. Our study focuses on X-ray guided pelvic trauma surgery, a procedure where successful communication depends on the shared model between the surgeon and a C-arm technologist. We present a VR environment supporting both roles and evaluate a cross-training curriculum in which non-surgeons swap roles with the surgeon. Results Exposure to the surgical task resulted in higher engagement with the C-arm technologist role in VR, as measured by the mental demand and effort expended by participants. It also has a significant effect on non-surgeon’s mental model of the overall task; novice participants’ estimation of the mental demand and effort required for the surgeon’s task increases after training, while their perception of overall performance decreases, indicating a gap in understanding based solely on observation. This phenomenon was also present for a professional C-arm technologist. Conclusion Until now, VR applications for clinical training have focused on virtualizing existing curricula. We demonstrate how novel approaches which are not possible outside of a virtual environment, such as role swapping, may enhance the shared mental model of surgical teams by contextualizing each individual’s role within the overall task in a time- and cost-efficient manner. As workflows grow increasingly sophisticated, we see VR curricula as being able to directly foster a shared model for success, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes through more effective teamwork in surgery.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2239077
- PAR ID:
- 10520354
- Publisher / Repository:
- International Journal of Computer-assisted Radiology and Surgery
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 1861-6429
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1213 to 1222
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-024-03138-7
