A microsurgery simulation system

Abstract

Computer systems for surgical planning and training are poised to greatly impact the traditional versions of these tasks. These systems provide an opportunity to learn surgical techniques with lower costs and lower risks. We have developed a virtual environment for the graphical visualization of complexsu rgical objects and real-time interaction with these objects using real surgical tools. An application for microsurgical training, in which the user sutures together virtual blood vessels, has been developed. This application demonstrates many facets of our system, including deformable object simulation, tool interactions, collision detection, and suture simulation. Here we present a broad outline of the system, which can be generalized for any anastomosis or other procedures, and a detailed look at the components of the microsurgery simulation.