A Study on Organ Exclusion Simulator with Multi-finger Force Feedback Device

Abstract

In conventional medical education, residents train their skills via clinical experiences (OJT). Virtual reality (VR) based training simulator comes under the spotlight as a powerful tool to solve the problem. Exclusion is a surgical manipulation of pushing aside organ to make a hidden tissue visible or enlarge work space. Improper manipulation causes fatal damage. This study aims to develop VR based exclusion training simulator. Multiple-finger interaction method with an elastic object is developed and glove-type multi-finger haptic device is integrated to the system. The prototype equips interactive visualization of stress distribution under exclusion. The system enables real-time calculation of deformation, reaction force and stress. The result of trial training suggested that the display of stress distribution enable effective training. Subjective evaluation by medical doctors proved the effectiveness of the system for exclusion simulator.