November 8, 2004 -- Cambridge, Massachusetts
 
Energid Technologies received a two-year follow-on Phase II SBIR contract from the Army to develop an untethered surgical simulation. The design is modular, with components that can build simulations for different applications and levels of fidelity--with and without haptics feedback, for example. The simulation interface does not require a physical connection to surgical tools. Machine vision is used to track the tools, and a novel large-workspace magnetic force generator provides haptic feedback. These are combined with 3D visualization to provide a natural environment for training. Training scenarios are defined using an XML-based Surgical Simulation and Training Markup Language (SSTML). Any procedure defined using the SSTML can be downloaded from a server for immediate use.

The proposed modular system will allow creation of surgical trainers that meet the many needs of military and civilian surgeons. There is broad consensus that a training gap exists for surgeons, and the chief impediment to filling this gap with simulation is technical. Simulation quality needs to be improved. A modular, untethered, haptics-optional system will allow us to address many concerns expressed by surgeons--the 80-hour training restriction on U.S. surgical residents, the increasing number of surgical procedures, the deficiency in trauma training, the need to objectively measure surgeons, and the need for lifelong learning.