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Risk-free virtual anaesthetics Risk-free virtual anaesthetics
(about 6 hours later)
Medical staff can learn the delicate procedure of spinal anaesthesia without practising on live patients, thanks to a new training device.Medical staff can learn the delicate procedure of spinal anaesthesia without practising on live patients, thanks to a new training device.
It uses computer graphics and a virtual needle to realistically recreate contact with the spine.It uses computer graphics and a virtual needle to realistically recreate contact with the spine.
The tool was developed by scientists at the University of Limerick, Ireland.The tool was developed by scientists at the University of Limerick, Ireland.
In the past, the procedure was fraught with danger, and medical staff learning the technique had to take extreme care not to damage patients' spinal columns.In the past, the procedure was fraught with danger, and medical staff learning the technique had to take extreme care not to damage patients' spinal columns.
According to the scientists, this is a major breakthrough in the process of teaching spinal anaesthesia, and could be used widely in hospitals within three years.According to the scientists, this is a major breakthrough in the process of teaching spinal anaesthesia, and could be used widely in hospitals within three years.
Recreating surgeryRecreating surgery
Human vertebrae are protected by a delicate gel like substance that is less than one inch thick.Human vertebrae are protected by a delicate gel like substance that is less than one inch thick.
Safely injecting the spine is very difficult; anaesthetists run the risk of damaging a patient's spinal column or the blood vessels that serve it.Safely injecting the spine is very difficult; anaesthetists run the risk of damaging a patient's spinal column or the blood vessels that serve it.
Developed in conjunction with Dr George Shorten of Cork University Hospital, the new simulator exploits state of the art "haptic toolkits".Developed in conjunction with Dr George Shorten of Cork University Hospital, the new simulator exploits state of the art "haptic toolkits".
These are multi-disciplinary technologies that can accurately recreate the touch and feel of real-time surgery.These are multi-disciplinary technologies that can accurately recreate the touch and feel of real-time surgery.
Dr Mikael Fernstrom, head of Limerick University's masters degree in interactive media, says the project has tremendous potential.The simulator recreates the sensation of injecting the skin and gives visual feedbackDr Mikael Fernstrom, head of Limerick University's masters degree in interactive media, says the project has tremendous potential.The simulator recreates the sensation of injecting the skin and gives visual feedback
The advance comes at a time of growing concern over patient safety, and new EU legislation limiting working hours in hospitals.The advance comes at a time of growing concern over patient safety, and new EU legislation limiting working hours in hospitals.
In addition, some patients cannot be completely anaesthetised during spinal procedures, for fear of post-operative complications.In addition, some patients cannot be completely anaesthetised during spinal procedures, for fear of post-operative complications.
Such problems make the use of surgical simulators all the more vital.Such problems make the use of surgical simulators all the more vital.
Erik Lovquist, a researcher with Limerick's Interaction Design Centre (IDC), concurs: "Many means of assessing doctors and surgeons in training environments has, in the past, been subjective.Erik Lovquist, a researcher with Limerick's Interaction Design Centre (IDC), concurs: "Many means of assessing doctors and surgeons in training environments has, in the past, been subjective.
"This tool offers trainers a chance to objectively test students in the field.""This tool offers trainers a chance to objectively test students in the field."
'Feedback''Feedback'
The "haptic simulator" recreates the skin tension felt by the practitioner at the point the needle is inserted.The "haptic simulator" recreates the skin tension felt by the practitioner at the point the needle is inserted.
If the injection is not carried out correctly, the trainee receives immediate audio and visual feedback.If the injection is not carried out correctly, the trainee receives immediate audio and visual feedback.
The developers questioned doctors extensively about the precise tactile responses involved in inserting a needle between two vertebrae of the human back.The developers questioned doctors extensively about the precise tactile responses involved in inserting a needle between two vertebrae of the human back.
The result is an advance that incorporates visual feedback - allowing the operator to view a 3-D map of the area while simultaneously positioning the needle. SPINAL ANAESTHESIA 1 - Injection site between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae 2 - Local anaesthetic is injected into the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF)3 - Needle must penetrate muscle but not touch spinal cord4 - The procedure numbs the lower body The result is an advance that incorporates visual feedback - allowing the operator to view a 3-D map of the area while simultaneously positioning the needle.
SPINAL ANAESTHESIA 1 - Injection site between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae 2 - Local anaesthetic is injected into the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF)3 - Needle must penetrate muscle but not touch spinal cord4 - The procedure numbs the lower body
Trainees can operate in either "trial" or "practice" mode, and safely locate the optimal point for a spinal injection - called the intrathecal space.Trainees can operate in either "trial" or "practice" mode, and safely locate the optimal point for a spinal injection - called the intrathecal space.
In trial mode, the audio and visual clues can be turned off.In trial mode, the audio and visual clues can be turned off.
Correct placement of the needle is registered by the sight of fluid draining from the needle, which is what happens during the real procedure.Correct placement of the needle is registered by the sight of fluid draining from the needle, which is what happens during the real procedure.
Potential training applications include operations on elderly people, epidurals for expectant mothers and lumbar punctures to obtain biopsy samples of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF).Potential training applications include operations on elderly people, epidurals for expectant mothers and lumbar punctures to obtain biopsy samples of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF).
Currently, the IDC team led by Professor Liam Bannon is half way through the development phase and has embarked on trials in Hungary and Ireland.Currently, the IDC team led by Professor Liam Bannon is half way through the development phase and has embarked on trials in Hungary and Ireland.