The latest computer gaming technology is being used to train surgeons and reduce the incidence of bowel cancer. (CSIRO)

Surgical simulator for medical training

CSIRO is using the latest in computer gaming technology to teach medical specialists how to perform a colonoscopy.

• 20 July 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Our solution
• Current activities
• Outcomes
• Partners
• Achievements

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer related deaths in Australia. Current data indicates that one in 22 Australians will develop the disease.

Those who return a positive test as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program are encouraged to have a colonoscopy to check for, and remove, precancerous polyps.

Unfortunately, colonoscopy is a difficult procedure to master. To reach an expert level requires performing more than 100 procedures. In Australia, colonoscopies are often taught using real patients.

Our solution

Through CSIRO’s Preventative Health Flagship, staff at the Australian e-Health Research Centre (a joint venture between CSIRO and the Queensland government) have developed a colonoscopy simulator to assist in teaching this complicated procedure.

The simulator has features including:

• accurate anatomic detail
• natural-looking visuals
• realistic sense of touch
• recording of movements and actions.

The images seen and forces felt are built from highly accurate modelling of the human body, the behaviour of the endoscope and the interaction of the two.

Creating this realistic simulation uses computer gaming software and the processing power of the latest graphics cards.

The system can draw on a database of anatomically accurate, 3D colon models and cases of varying clinical difficulty.

Current activities

We are working with the University of Queensland and the Queensland Health Skills Development Centre to ensure our colonoscopy simulator will teach trainees the right skills in the right way.

The colonoscopy simulator was developed in close collaboration with leading clinicians.

Outcomes

Benefits to flow from use of this colonoscopy simulator include:

• more trained colonoscopists
• reduced training costs
• improvement in the colonoscopy skills of medical professions meaning reduced patient discomfort and more thorough colonoscopies
• shorter procedure times, meaning reduced pressure on theatre resources.

While colonoscopies are very effective in the detection and treatment of one of Australia’s increasingly prevalent cancers, the procedure is naturally not a popular one. Reducing patient dissatisfaction is pivotal in encouraging patients for further, potentially life-saving, examinations.

Partners

We currently work with:

• University of Queensland
• Queensland Health Skills Development Centre.

CSIRO has licensed Swedish company, Surgical Science AB, one of the leading companies in surgical simulation, to bring the colonoscopy simulator to market.

The force-feedback device was developed in collaboration with Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland.

Achievements

This technology won the e-learning category of the 2011 Queensland iAwards.

Read more technical details in Surgical Simulation and Planning [external link].