COMPUTER-ASSISTED SURGICAL TRAINING FOR TURP

摘要

The development of a computer-assisted surgical trainer for soft tissue surgery, generally, and, specifically, for Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is described. This paper concentrates on the training system's physical setup and on the instrumentation of the surgical instruments so that the users' actions can be monitored. Software was developed to integrate all the components and to provide additional three-dimensional navigation information. The graphical user interface of the trainer is also presented. The trainer is novel on two counts. Firstly, in the use of a physical phantom to provide the haptic feedback, which distances the system from the virtual reality approach. Secondly, in the planned extension to use in the operating theatre, where it can act as a watchdog during surgical procedures.