Biopsym: a learning environment for trans-rectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2011:163:242-6.

Abstract

This paper describes a learning environment for image-guided prostate biopsies for cancer diagnosis; it is based on an ultrasound probe simulator virtually exploring real datasets obtained from patients. The aim is to make the training of young physicians easier and faster with a tool that combines lectures, biopsy simulations and recommended exercises to master this medical gesture. It is designed particularly to help improve the acquisition of the three-dimensional representation of the prostate required for practicing biopsy sequences. The simulator uses haptic feedback to compute the position of the virtual probe from three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound recorded data. This paper presents the current version of this learning environment.

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle / methods*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Biological*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / education*
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Teaching / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods
  • User-Computer Interface