Scientists of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have obtained a funding of $2.7 million to manufacture a virtual reality simulator that is useful for performing scarless endoscopic surgical procedures.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health funded the study, which lasted for a period of four years. The study seeks to quicken the growth of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery, also known as NOTES. This technique carries out operations in the human’s abdomen with less pain, without external scarring and incisions.
The NOTES technique involves inserting a versatile endoscope into the vagina, anus, or mouth. An incision is made in the organs to enable the endoscope to enter into the abdominal cavity to remove the infected organ through the mouth. Although the scarless techniques are showing promise, the development of platforms, techniques, and tools are based on animal testing. Prof. Suvranu De, leading the study stated that the technique would benefit from computer-based simulation and modeling. The research team, in order to attain computer-based modeling and simulation, will manufacture a virtual reality simulator for the surgical technique.
After carrying out the surgery, the devices are removed and the wound is closed. Currently, the scientists are utilizing animal studies to perform this surgery, but the tests often end up in post operative complications. The virtual reality simulator features computational technology and custom robotic interfaces that offer an environment similar to that of a surgeon performing a surgical procedure.
De also stated that the challenges of developing a simulator included in developing precise computer models of organs such as intestines and stomach and realistic hardware interfaces. The other institutes that partnered Rensselaer in the study were Tufts University in Boston, the Children's Hospital Boston, Cambridge Health Alliance, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.