Abstract
Objectives This study shows the development and validation of a dental anesthesia-training simulator, specifically for the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). The system developed provides the tactile sensation of inserting a real needle in a human patient, using Virtual Reality (VR) techniques and a haptic device that can provide a perceived force feedback in the needle insertion task during the anesthesia procedure.Material and Methods To simulate a realistic anesthesia procedure, a Carpule syringe was coupled to a haptic device. The Volere method was used to elicit requirements from users in the Dentistry area; Repeated Measures Two-Way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), Tukey post-hoc test and averages for the results’ analysis. A questionnaire-based subjective evaluation method was applied to collect information about the simulator, and 26 people participated in the experiments (12 beginners, 12 at intermediate level, and 2 experts). The questionnaire included profile, preferences (number of viewpoints, texture of the objects, and haptic device handler), as well as visual (appearance, scale, and position of objects) and haptic aspects (motion space, tactile sensation, and motion reproduction).Results The visual aspect was considered appropriate and the haptic feedback must be improved, which the users can do by calibrating the virtual tissues’ resistance. The evaluation of visual aspects was influenced by the participants’ experience, according to ANOVA test (F=15.6, p=0.0002, with p<0.01). The user preferences were the simulator with two viewpoints, objects with texture based on images and the device with a syringe coupled to it.Conclusion The simulation was considered thoroughly satisfactory for the anesthesia training, considering the needle insertion task, which includes the correct insertion point and depth, as well as the perception of tissues resistances during the insertion.
Highlights
In light of the importance of training in the health ¿eld, including practical classes to teach medical and clinical procedures, the use of appropriate tools is crucial
Simulation-based medical training tools developed via Virtual Reality (VR) techniques have increased in recent years[16]
This study presents the development and validation of a haptic-based VR anesthesia injection training simulator for Dentistry procedures, speci¿cally the local anesthesia, for the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB), the most common type of nerve block used for dental procedures
Summary
In light of the importance of training in the health ¿eld, including practical classes to teach medical and clinical procedures, the use of appropriate tools is crucial. Such tools can be mannequin models and other tangible objects, or computer systems that allow virtual simulations, called simulators. Simulation-based medical training tools developed via Virtual Reality (VR) techniques have increased in recent years[16]. These techniques provide threedimensional virtual environments with real-time interaction, which include different degrees of immersion and realism, thereby allowing an accurate reproduction of tasks that are essential for health care training procedures. The most common kind of haptic interface used provides force feedback, i.e, this kind allows simulating procedures that require perfect force control or pressure executed by the student
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