A Novel Suture Training System for Open Surgery Replicating Procedures Performed by Experts Using Augmented Reality

This study aimed to develop a new suture training system for open surgery that provides trainees with the three-dimensional information of exemplary procedures performed by experts and allows them to observe and imitate the procedures during self-practice. The proposed system consists of a motion capture system of surgical instruments and a three-dimensional replication system of captured procedures on the surgical field. Motion capture of surgical instruments was achieved inexpensively by using cylindrical augmented reality (AR) markers, and replication of captured procedures was realized by visualizing them three-dimensionally at the same position and orientation as captured, using an AR device. For subcuticular interrupted suture, it was confirmed that the proposed system enabled users to observe experts ’ procedures from any angle and imitate them by manipulating the actual surgical instruments during self-practice. We expect that this training system will contribute to developing a novel surgical training method that enables trainees to learn surgical skills by themselves in the absence of exper ts.
Source: Journal of Medical Systems - Category: Information Technology Source Type: research