Haptic training in a virtual environment to train cognitive functions of medical students: Work in progress

Abstract

This paper introduces the development of exercises to be embedded in a lightweight laparoscopic haptic simulator to help surgeons starting their training to Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) gestures. These exercises were created by observing professionals in operation rooms and by isolating key gestures, which have been combined to create desired trajectories with a slow learning curve. These exercises combine memory, new gestures, new environments and new visual feedback so that the trainees’ cognitive load remains low. This favors an effective training. Hence, the simulator displays a simple 3D virtual environment in order to focus on the gestures and trajectories, performed on an haptic device by means of real MIS tool handles. Its ludic dimension, which make it a Serious Game, should help users to make progress in their first gesture training in order to continue on more evolved medical simulators. This paper introduces the software architecture analysis and the methods used for creating the exercises.