SBIR-STTR Award

The project proposes to develop a haptic interface fro virtual reality simulator that can be used fro the training of medics, surgeons and other health personnel in trauma procedures. The challenge will be to develop a single finger-based haptics display that can be used to convey tactile and proprioceptive sensation, allowing the trainee to feel the forces associated with actual trauma procedures. The major effort in Phase I will be to prepare requirements for the design of haptics interface devices, based on a task analysis of chest tube insertion, central venous line placement, and other manual manipulations associated with trauma surgery. It is anticipated that development of the haptics display will lead to a reduction in the number of animals used for trauma training, increase the readiness of military medical personnel and improve the performance of physicians, nurses and allied health personnel by providing a platform for practice and performance assessment.

The project proposes to develop virtual reality-based surgical simulators for training medics, surgeons and other health personnel in trauma procedures. The current state of surgical simulation technology will be assessed using a combination of surgical, human factors and engineering expertise, involving usability analysis and validation studies. Performance metrics will be created by a committee of senior surgeons for the evaluation of surgical skill. A virtual reality-based simulation workstation will be developed to serve as a testbed for examining surgical performance using surgeons and residents. A procedural simulator for chest tube insertion, based on task analysis and employing physics-based modeling, will be engineered for training in ATLS and trauma. It is anticipated that development of an efficacious simulation training system will lead to a reduction in the number of animals used for trauma training, increase the readiness of military medical personnel and improve the performance of physicians, nurses and allied health personnel by providing a platform for practice and performance assessment.