Bücher der Reihe Military and Medical Simulation

"The traditional Halstedian apprenticeship model of 'see one, do one, teach one' is no longer adequate to train surgeons, since good laparoscopic skills cannot be developed by merely watching an expert." - A. Pearson, M.D.This book proposes four hypotheses concerning the impact and acceptance of computer game technologies, virtual reality, and simulation in medical education. It focuses on laparoscopic surgery because of the similarities between that form of surgery and virtual reality systems. The evidence indicates that the following four hypotheses are supported by the medical research literature. Hypothesis 1: Surgical training can be accomplished at a lower cost using virtual reality and game technology-based tools than through existing methods of training. Hypothesis 2: Virtual reality and game technology-based training environments provide better access to representative patient symptoms and allow more repetitive practice than existing forms of training. Hypothesis 3: Virtual reality and game technology-based training environments can reduce the training time required to achieve proficiency in specific procedures.Hypothesis 4: Virtual reality and game technology-based training can reduce the number of medical errors caused by residents and surgeons learning to perform new procedures.The strong evidence collected in this study indicates that game-based systems are becoming much more accepted in medical education and that the technical limitations that existed when these devices were first introduced are being overcome. "There is no excuse for the surgeon to learn on the patient." - William Mayo, 1927

The United States Department of Defense has invested heavily in computer simulations since World War II. As a result, simulations and models exist to replicate or evaluate most combat systems and combat scenarios. As these simulations evolved, major differences in functionality and interfaces emerged which lead to distinct Live, Virtual, and Constructive simulation products. In this book we explore methods of interoperability between live, virtual, and constructive simulations. This study was conducted in 1994 and today provides a historic perspective on connecting diverse simulations and the evolution of methods of interoperability.

For every complex and expensive system, there emerges a need for training devices and scenarios that will assist new learners in mastering the use of the device and understanding how to apply it with value. This has proven to be true in aviation, nuclear power control, and medicine among other fields. Laparoscopic surgery simulators have played a valuable role in improving the practice of surgery over the last 20 years and the same trends and values will likely apply in robotic surgery. The complexity, criticality, and cost associated with the effective application of the da Vinci surgical robot have stimulated the commercial creation of simulators which replicate the operations of this robot. Each of these simulators provides a slightly different perspective and solution to the problem. This book explores the characteristics and differences between all of the currently available devices. The details provided here are structured to equip readers with sufficient knowledge about the simulators to make their own decisions about which best meets their needs. Each of them possesses unique traits which make them valuable solutions for different types of users. It is not our intent to make a universal recommendation of one device over the others. Readers should draw their own conclusions based on their unique needs for a device. The three current simulation devices for the da Vinci robot are the: ¿ da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical Inc.), ¿ dV-Trainer (Mimic Technologies Inc.) and ¿ Robotic Surgery Simulator (Simulated Surgical Systems LLC). The three simulators which are described in this book offer a different value proposition to potential purchasers and to novice learners. The da Vinci Skills Simulator, dV-Trainer, an RoSS are complex systems which are significantly less costly than the actual da Vinci robotic surgical system and can be operated at a fraction of the cost of the instruments required for this robot. The intent of this book is to present the characteristics of each system to enable intelligent and informed purchasing and usage decisions.

The Wonderful World of Simulation is a composite of the past, current and future of simulation as seen through the lens of the author. This writing presents a documented track of the past, which identifies many of the early pioneers of simulation, along with fascinating examples of early and contemporary simulators. With fifty years of simulation experience including research, acquisition and support, the author injects his personal experiences in the field he has helped to shape. Okraski's background in government, industry and academia enable him to offer the reader an excellent perspective of simulation as it has evolved and an informed opinion on where it is going. His primary motive for this work is to attract promising young talent to an exciting and rewarding career in simulation.