
A new
kind of 'simulation centre'
A paradigm shift in interactive clinician education is occurring globally.
Continued Medical Education Awaits
Surgery is a discipline that requires multi-sensory skills where the surgeon depends, among others, on somatosensory feedback for successful operative outcomes. The field of haptics technology replicates tactile and proprioceptive feedback, and has been proven to dramatically enhance learning through real-life sensation. Traditional VR simulations have been proven effective in skills development for surgical trainees, however the addition of scalable surgical haptics can take VR education to a new level of fidelity and broaden the value of these simulations to experienced surgeons allowing them to keep up with changes in techniques or new biomedical developments.
For example, research recently conducted at St George’s Hospital (London) used haptic feedback in virtual reality bone drilling. This is a technical skill where soft tissue damage must be minimized in order to obtain the best results possible. The study evaluated a portable haptics system and a 3D printed drill for training on a synthetic tibia bone, and the haptic arm is designed to ‘push back’ with a fixed force against that being applied by the user. The study results indicated a 50% reduction of soft tissue damage for users trained in VR simulations with haptic feedback.
Practicing surgeons are required to maintain their license to practice and as part of their requirements to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills surgeons must undertake Continual Medical Education (CME) activities. Fundamental Surgery orthoapedic suite is accredited for CME points by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the Royal College of Surgeons. Learn more about FVR's total hip arthroplasty (anterior or posterior), or the total knee arthroplasty.
Recently, Fundamental Surgery announced a new soft tissue capability that leverages full force feedback kinesthetic haptics, high-fidelity graphics and 3D spatial technology to allow surgeons to manipulate and feel the texture of anatomy as if they were in the operating room (see left). Fundamental Surgery added that the enhancements open the door for accelerated skills acquisition across a wide range of procedures that will help trainees to build capability and confidence ahead of human interaction – something that the company refers to as ‘pre-human competence’.
Fundamental Surgery provides an alternative VR training tool for spinal surgeons for medical devices, pain management devices, spinal tools and unique medical procedures. The patented HapticVR technology offers a dynamic framework of medical spinal procedures that can provide measurable learning environments for skills transfer and assessment. Learn more about Fundamental Surgery pedicle screw platform, which is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons, or their facectomy platform.

"The Fundamental Surgery platform provides one unique channel with blended VR modalities to keep up with the increasingly complex amount of information, technology, and automation that is developing exponentially. One package to meet all the needs and requirements to drive adoption and maintain compliance across the board."

FundamentalVR are actively collaborating and supporting widely recognised hospitals, medical societies and medical device companies around the world. Neuroclast has partnered with Fundamental Surgery to introduce this technology to the ANZ region and help contribute to their growing VR portfolio.












