Method and system for using simulation techniques in ophthalmic surgery training

• US 20070207448A1
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The National Retina Institute (Sight Medical Doctors PLLC)
• Original Assignee: The National Retina Institute (Sight Medical Doctors PLLC)
• Inventors: Glaser, Bert, Grodin, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/713,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20070207448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/262
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

A method and system for enhanced ophthalmic surgery training by using simulation techniques. Each type of ophthalmic surgery, such as retinal or cataract surgery, is broken down into a sequence of surgical tasks, and each task is programmed into the system. A user practices each task via a simulator on a virtual human subject until a pre-determined level of skill is acquired for the task. The present invention objectively and effectively assesses a user'"'"'s skill and expertise level in performing ophthalmic surgery via gated performance testing, thereby ensuring that the user has a pre-determined skill and expertise level, and eliminating undue risk to patients.

Claims

1. A method for simulator-enhanced ophthalmic surgery training, the method comprising:

receiving ophthalmic surgery data comprising a sequence of discrete surgical tasks;

receiving at least one surgical task scenario;

simulating the at least one surgical task scenario;

receiving user input regarding the at least one surgical task scenario; and

scoring user performance on the at least one surgical task scenario based on the user input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one surgical task scenario comprises at least one discrete surgical task to be performed by a user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one surgical task scenario is selected from a group consisting of an individual scenario and a collective scenario.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating user performance based on the user performance score and one or more performance gates.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more performance gates are selected from a group consisting of beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the user performance score is below a pre-determined level, repeating the simulating, receiving user input and scoring steps until the pre-determined performance score level is achieved by the user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the user performance score is above a pre-determined level, simulating another one of the at least one surgical task scenario.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ophthalmic surgery is selected from a group consisting of cataract surgery and retinal surgery.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one surgical task scenario further comprises:

inserting a pick;

orienting the pick;

memorizing a position of an Epi-Retinal Membrane (ERM);

advancing the pick to the ERM surface;

creating a small tear in the ERM;

elevating the ERM with the pick;

withdrawing the pick;

inserting forceps;

orienting the forceps;

engaging the ERM with the forceps;

peeling the ERM circumferentially;

inspecting retina;

identifying residual peel with arcades;

identifying iatrogenic tears; and

withdrawing the forceps.

10. A method for simulator-enhanced Epi-Retinal Membrane Peel (Peel ERM) surgery training, the method comprising:

receiving Peel ERM data comprising a sequence of discrete surgical tasks;

receiving at least one surgical task scenario;

simulating the at least one surgical task scenario;

receiving user input regarding the at least one surgical task scenario; and

scoring user performance on the at least one surgical task scenario based on the user input;

wherein the at least one surgical task scenario further comprises;

inserting a pick;

orienting the pick;

memorizing a position of an Epi-Retinal Membrane (ERM);

advancing the pick to the ERM surface;

creating a small tear in the ERM;

elevating the ERM with the pick;

withdrawing the pick;

inserting forceps;

orienting the forceps;

engaging the ERM with the forceps;

peeling the ERM circumferentially;

inspecting retina;

identifying residual peel with arcades;

identifying iatrogenic tears; and

withdrawing the forceps.

11. A system for simulator-enhanced ophthalmic surgery training, the system comprising:

receiving means for receiving ophthalmic surgery data comprising a sequence of discrete surgical tasks;

receiving means for receiving at least one surgical task scenario;

simulating means for simulating the at least one surgical task scenario;

receiving means for receiving user input regarding the at least one surgical task scenario; and

scoring means for scoring user performance on the at least one surgical task scenario based on the user input.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one surgical task scenario comprises at least one discrete surgical task to be performed by a user.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one surgical task scenario is selected from a group consisting of an individual scenario and a collective scenario.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

evaluating means for evaluating user performance based on the user performance score and one or more performance gates.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the ophthalmic surgery is selected from a group consisting of cataract surgery and retinal surgery.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one surgical task scenario further comprises:

inserting a pick;

orienting the pick;

memorizing a position of an Epi-Retinal Membrane (ERM);

advancing the pick to the ERM surface;

creating a small tear in the ERM;

elevating the ERM with the pick;

withdrawing the pick;

inserting forceps;

orienting the forceps;

engaging the ERM with the forceps;

peeling the ERM circumferentially;

inspecting retina;

identifying residual peel with arcades;

identifying iatrogenic tears; and

withdrawing the forceps.

17. A system for simulator-enhanced Epi-Retinal Membrane Peel (Peel ERM) surgery training, the system comprising:

receiving means for receiving Peel ERM data comprising a sequence of discrete surgical tasks;

receiving means for receiving at least one surgical task scenario;

simulating means for simulating the at least one surgical task scenario;

receiving means for receiving user input regarding the at least one surgical task scenario; and

scoring means for scoring user performance on the at least one surgical task scenario based on the user input;

wherein the at least one surgical task scenario comprises;

inserting a pick;

orienting the pick;

memorizing a position of an Epi-Retinal Membrane (ERM);

advancing the pick to the ERM surface;

creating a small tear in the ERM;

elevating the ERM with the pick;

withdrawing the pick;

inserting forceps;

orienting the forceps;

engaging the ERM with the forceps;

peeling the ERM circumferentially;

inspecting retina;

identifying residual peel with arcades;

identifying iatrogenic tears; and

withdrawing the forceps.

18. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to perform simulator-enhanced ophthalmic surgery training, the control logic comprising:

first computer readable program code means for receiving ophthalmic surgery data comprising a sequence of discrete surgical tasks;

second computer readable program code means for receiving at least one surgical task scenario;

third computer readable program code means for simulating the at least one surgical task scenario;

fourth computer readable program code means for receiving user input regarding the at least one surgical task scenario; and

fifth computer readable program code means for scoring user performance on the at least one surgical task scenario based on the user input.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to perform simulator-enhanced Epi-Retinal Membrane Peel (Peel ERM) surgery training, the control logic comprising:

first computer readable program code means for receiving Peel ERM data comprising a sequence of discrete surgical tasks;

second computer readable program code means for receiving at least one surgical task scenario;

third computer readable program code means for simulating the at least one surgical task scenario;

fourth computer readable program code means for receiving user input regarding the at least one surgical task scenario; and

fifth computer readable program code means for scoring user performance on the at least one surgical task scenario based on the user input;

wherein the at least one surgical task scenario comprises;

inserting a pick;

orienting the pick;

memorizing a position of an Epi-Retinal Membrane (ERM);

advancing the pick to the ERM surface;

creating a small tear in the ERM;

elevating the ERM with the pick;

withdrawing the pick;

inserting forceps;

orienting the forceps;

engaging the ERM with the forceps;

peeling the ERM circumferentially;

inspecting retina;

identifying residual peel with arcades;

identifying iatrogenic tears; and

withdrawing the forceps.