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Interventional radiology virtual simulator for liver biopsy

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

   Training in Interventional Radiology currently uses the apprenticeship model, where clinical and technical skills of invasive procedures are learnt during practice in patients. This apprenticeship training method is increasingly limited by regulatory restrictions on working hours, concerns over patient risk through trainees’ inexperience and the variable exposure to case mix and emergencies during training. To address this, we have developed a computer-based simulation of visceral needle puncture procedures.

Methods

   A real-time framework has been built that includes: segmentation, physically based modelling, haptics rendering, pseudo-ultrasound generation and the concept of a physical mannequin. It is the result of a close collaboration between different universities, involving computer scientists, clinicians, clinical engineers and occupational psychologists.

Results

   The technical implementation of the framework is a robust and real-time simulation environment combining a physical platform and an immersive computerized virtual environment. The face, content and construct validation have been previously assessed, showing the reliability and effectiveness of this framework, as well as its potential for teaching visceral needle puncture.

Conclusion

   A simulator for ultrasound-guided liver biopsy has been developed. It includes functionalities and metrics extracted from cognitive task analysis. This framework can be useful during training, particularly given the known difficulties in gaining significant practice of core skills in patients.

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Notes

  1. http://www.craive.org.uk (last accessed 16 Apr 2013).

  2. http://www.itksnap.org/ (last accessed 06 Jan 2013).

  3. Safety fistula needle manufactured by Kimal, http://www.kimal.co.uk/ (last accessed 16 Apr 2013).

  4. Hollow needle used in IR, named after Chiba University in Japan, where it was invented.

  5. http://www.h3dapi.org/ (last accessed 16 Apr 2013).

  6. http://www.sensegraphics.com/ (last accessed Apr 16, 2013).

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the late Roger Phillips for his significant contributions to the project. We acknowledge funding from the UK’s Department of Health through the Health Technology Devices programme.

Conflict of Interest

P. F. Villard, F. P. Vidal, L. ap Cenydd, R. Holbrey, S. Pisharody, S. Johnson, A. Bulpitt, N.W. John, F. Bello and D. Gould declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LORIA, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France

    P. F. Villard

  2. Imperial College, London, UK

    P. F. Villard & F. Bello

  3. School of Computer Science, Bangor University, Bangor, UK

    F. P. Vidal, L. ap Cenydd & N. W. John

  4. School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    R. Holbrey & A. Bulpitt

  5. Department of Computer Science, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, UK

    S. Pisharody

  6. Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    S. Johnson

  7. Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    D. Gould

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  1. P. F. Villard
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  2. F. P. Vidal
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  3. L. ap Cenydd
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Correspondence to P. F. Villard.

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Villard, P.F., Vidal, F.P., ap Cenydd, L. et al. Interventional radiology virtual simulator for liver biopsy. Int J CARS 9, 255–267 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-013-0929-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-013-0929-0

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