A Hybrid, Low-Cost Tissue-Like Epidural Needle Insertion Simulator

Benjamin Esterer1, Stefan Gabauer2, Robert Pichler3, Daniela Wirthl3, Michael Drack3, Marianne Hollensteiner4, Gerald Kettlgruber3, Martin Kaltenbrunner3, Siegfried Bauer5, David Fuerst, Robert Merwa1, Jens Meier6, Peter Augat7, Andreas Schrempf

  • 1University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
  • 2Research Group for Surgical Simulators Linz, Upper Austria Univ.
  • 3Johannes Kepler University Linz
  • 4ReSSL
  • 5Johannes Kepler University
  • 6Kepler University Linz
  • 7Institute for Biomechanics, BGU Murnau

Details

09:00 - 09:15 | Wed 12 Jul | Herrick Room | WeAT7.5

Session: Novel Approaches to BME Education

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Abstract

Epidural and spinal anesthesia are mostly performed “blind” without any medical imaging. Currently, training of these procedures is performed on human specimens, virtual reality systems, manikins and mostly in clinical practice supervised by a professional. In this study a novel hybrid, low-cost patient simulator for the training of needle insertion into the epidural space was designed. The patient phantom provides a realistic force feedback comparable with biological tissue and enables sensing of the needle tip position during insertion. A display delivers the trainee a real-time feedback of the needle tip position.