Technology
A working prototype of the oral surgery simulator has been constructed, composed of both hardware and software. Generic hardware have been used, consisting of a Sensable Phantom haptic device, a mirrored monitor setup, together with stereo glasses which enables colocation of the user's hand and the virtual representation of a drill.
The software is based on the H3D API and uses real-time volume rendering of the CT-model as well as a 3D-mesh of a head model to obtain the right context. The implementation of a volume based drillbone interaction algorithm provides haptic feedback and real-time update of the CT-model.
The technology that is used in the simulator is created through collaborative development with partners and contributions from the research community. The code is also released as a free and open source software project.
Simulators allow for percetuo-motor experience, used to train students in surgical procedures in a low risk environment, providing unlimited practice on fundamental techniques.
