08 Virtual reality-based tools for interventional training and education

		Immersive training environment for training of hysteroscopic interventions

The fundamental aim of this project is to develop information technology, based on virtual and augmented reality techniques, for supporting medical training and education, and to investigate and validate its potential and usefulness in daily teaching and clinical practice. The driving force of the developments is the simulation of hysteroscopic interventions. The work aims at achieving the highest possible realism. A major thread is the instantiation of a coherent surgical scene, addressing healthy organs, pathologies, and vascularization. Moreover, soft tissue parameters are automatically obtained, and fluid flow is simulated in real-time.

Anatomical model generation

Focus on generation of variable scenarios for training sessions, including variability of healthy anatomy, integration of different pathologies, and synthesis of vascular structures.

Hysteroscopic simulator system

Development of a highly realistic hysteroscopy simulator, merging together components of several projects - including for instance an immersive training environment, and a modular simulator framework.

Surgical scene visualization

Photorealistic display of the intra-uterine scene. Comprising texturing of organs with intra-operative images, real-time simulation of distension fluid flow, interactive modelling of bleeding.

Free-hand haptic interfaces

Investigation of novel actuation technologies for haptic interfaces in open surgery simulation, as well as a deformable structure for mock-up simulation of organs.

Augmented reality based orthopaedic simulation

Combination of visual and haptic feedback in augmented reality. Soft tissue parameter tuning for simulation of virtual muscles.

Project Coordination