Simulation system for radiology education integration of physical and virtual realities: Overview and software considerations

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the proposed system is to give students a flexible, realistic, and interactive learning environment to study the physical limit of different postures and various imaging procedures. The suggested system will also familiarise the students with various imaging modalities, the anatomical structures that are observable under different X-ray tube settings and the quality of the resulting image. Current teaching practice for radiological sciences asks students to simulate the imaging procedure in role plays - consisting of one student as a patient and the other as the radiologist. Other ways include the use of a physical phantom consisting of bone and soft tissue equivalent material but in either way X-ray has to be used with all the requirements of such an examination room shielding, lead apron, and other radiation protection procedures. Proposed System: The proposed system has several physical components and virtual components. Students manipulate the mannequin into the model of the imaging modality and in a posture suitable for the purpose of the imaging study. The virtual components of our simulation system include a posture interface, a computational phantom generator, and a physics simulator. The synthetic image will be produced and conformed to the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine standard so that it can be stored, retrieved, and displayed in a standard picture archiving and communication system that hospitals use. Conclusion: The suggested system will familiarise the students and improve their competency level, not only for X-ray but various other imaging modalities, including the anatomical structures that are observable under different X-ray tube settings and the quality of the resulting image.