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Communication in a networked haptic virtual environment for temporal bone surgery training

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Abstract

Networked virtual environments using haptic interfaces can be used for surgical training and support both a simulation component and a communication component. We present such an environment for training in surgery of the temporal bone, which emphasises communication between an instructor and a student. We give an overview of the learning requirements for surgeons in this area and present the details of our implementation with a focus on the way communication is supported. We describe a training trial that was undertaken with a group of surgical trainees and carry out a qualitative analysis of transcripts from the teaching sessions. We conclude that the virtual environment supports a rich dialogue between the instructor and student, allowing them to ground their conversation in the shared model. Haptic interfaces are an important enabling technology for the simulation and communication and are used in conjunction with other modes and media to support situated learning.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the surgical trainees for their enthusiastic participation in the trial and surgical colleagues Drs Michael Tycocinski and Marcus Dahm, who assisted with the running of the trial. This work was substantially funded under the CeNTIE project. The CeNTIE project is supported by the Australian Government through the Advanced Networks Program of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Support was also provided by the Department of Otolaryngology The University of Melbourne and Medtronic Xomed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO ICT Centre, GPO BOX 664, 2601, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Matthew A. Hutchins, Duncan R. Stevenson, Chris Gunn, Alexander Krumpholz & Tony Adriaansen

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Brian Pyman & Stephen O’Leary

Authors
  1. Matthew A. Hutchins
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  2. Duncan R. Stevenson
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  3. Chris Gunn
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  4. Alexander Krumpholz
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  5. Tony Adriaansen
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  7. Stephen O’Leary
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Correspondence to Matthew A. Hutchins.

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Hutchins, M.A., Stevenson, D.R., Gunn, C. et al. Communication in a networked haptic virtual environment for temporal bone surgery training. Virtual Reality 9, 97–107 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-005-0015-1

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