Modular-structured Neurosurgical Simulator using Virtual Reality Technique

Abstract

A computer-aided surgical simulator using virtual reality (VR) technique is developed on a high-speed graphical computer. By using the VR devices of the simulator such as a "virtual knife"-typed position sensor, data globes and a head-mounted display, one can virtually operate on the three-dimensionally displayed patient images which are reconstructed from their CT or MRI. Our simulation software is featured with its modularity where surgical simulation in the various disciples can be developed by combining the program modules which perform specific 3D image processing or VR device control. We applied this system to a neurosurgery to enucleate brain tumors. It was found this system provides good pre-operative estimations about positional relations between the skull and tumors.