A sensorized modular training platform to reduce vascular damage in endovascular surgery

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Nikola Fischer - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Christian Marzi - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Katrin Meisenbacher - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Anna Kisilenko - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Tornike Davitashvili - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Martin Wagner - , Clusters of Excellence CeTI: Centre for Tactile Internet, Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Franziska Mathis-Ullrich - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)

Abstract

Purpose: Endovascular interventions require intense practice to develop sufficient dexterity in catheter handling within the human body. Therefore, we present a modular training platform, featuring 3D-printed vessel phantoms with patient-specific anatomy and integrated piezoresistive impact force sensing of instrument interaction at clinically relevant locations for feedback-based skill training to detect and reduce damage to the delicate vascular wall. Methods: The platform was fabricated and then evaluated in a user study by medical (n= 10) and non-medical (n= 10) users. The users had to navigate a set of guidewire and catheter through a parkour of 3 modules including an aneurismatic abdominal aorta, while impact force and completion time were recorded. Eventually, a questionnaire was conducted. Results: The platform allowed to perform more than 100 runs in which it proved capable to distinguish between users of different experience levels. Medical experts in the fields of vascular and visceral surgery had a strong performance assessment on the platform. It could be shown, that medical students could improve runtime and impact over 5 runs. The platform was well received and rated as promising for medical education despite the experience of higher friction compared to real human vessels. Conclusion: We investigated an authentic patient-specific training platform with integrated sensor-based feedback functionality for individual skill training in endovascular surgery. The presented method for phantom manufacturing is easily applicable to arbitrary patient-individual imaging data. Further work shall address the implementation of smaller vessel branches, as well as real-time feedback and camera imaging for further improved training experience.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1687-1695
Number of pages9
JournalInternational journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery
Volume18 (2023)
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 17 May 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 37193935

Keywords

Keywords

  • Endovascular training, Impact force sensing, Piezoresistive sensing, Sensorized phantom, Clinical Competence, Catheterization, Aorta, Abdominal, Humans, Education, Medical, Endovascular Procedures, Catheters

Library keywords