A Virtual Reality Enhanced Cyber-Human Framework for Orthopedic Surgical Training

This paper discusses the adoption of information-centric systems engineering (ICSE) principles to design a cyber-human systems-based simulator framework to train orthopedic surgery medical residents using haptic and immersive virtual reality platforms; the surgical procedure of interest is a less invasive stabilization system plating surgery that is used to treat fractures of the femur. Developing such training systems is a complex task involving multiple systems, technologies, and human experts. The information-centric approach proposed provides a structured foundation to plan, design, and build the simulators using the ICSE approach; in addition, the information models of the surgical processes were built to capture the surgical complexities and relationships between the various systems/components in the simulator framework, along with the controlling factors, performing mechanisms, and decision outcomes at various levels of abstraction. The simulator platforms include a haptic-based training system and a fully immersive training system for six training environments. Next-generation networking principles were adopted to support the collaborative training activities within this framework. As part of the proposed approach, expert surgeons played an important role in the design of the training environments. The outcomes of the learning assessment conducted demonstrate the effectiveness of using such simulator-based cyber-human training frameworks.