A virtual reality training system for robot assisted neurosurgery

Abstract

Surgical training systems based on virtual reality simulation techniques offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional training methods. This paper describes a virtual reality system for training robot assisted neurosurgery. The training system undertakes the task of building the 3D environment of the virtual operation room and the surgical robot. The 3D model of the patient's brain is reconstructed based on the 2D images. After the virtual robot move to the entrance pose that is planned by the surgeon, the user can control the virtual needle to insert into the virtual brain to verify his surgical plan. 3-D display device and home-made human-computer interactive devices increase the immersion and telepresence of this system and establish a robot assisted surgical training demo system oriented clinical application. Keywords: Robot assisted neurosurgery, Training, Virtual Reality, Human-computer interactive device. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg.