PerioSim: Haptic virtual reality simulator for sensorimotor skill acquisition in dentistry

We present a new feature for endoscopy wherein an endoscopist can palpate to assess abnormalities during the procedure and can experience the visual and haptic playback of the procedure later on when the patient returns. In our prototype, tactile sensors mounted on the endoscope help gather the force information, which is not only displayed to the practitioner but is also stored for later use. The recorded event that includes the video and the force data can be accessed using an endoscopic haptic simulator to re-create the experience for the clinician to help in diagnosis and treatment. We demonstrate our concept with a 2D setup shown in the attached figure, which comprises a scaled stomach model, a Falcon robot augmented with a tactile sensor, and a second Falcon to play the event back. Finite element analysis is integrated within the haptic loop. The recorded path is displayed to guide the user.

Maintaining a stable haptic interaction with virtual environments, especially with physically-based deformable objects, has long been an active area of research. We address this issue by presenting a comprehensive haptic system architecture and virtual reality simulation, where a physically-based modeling using the Finite Element Method (FEM) combined with an “elementary displacement” approach has been implemented. This approach ensures the stability of haptic interaction with deformable objects and considers interaction with multipoints contacts. The Future Haptic Science Encyclopedia (FHSE) we developed to verify our proposal and demonstrate the new haptic interface HIRO II. We also present an objective and subjective evaluation of FHSE simulation.

While preclinical (PC) training has historically been delivered through traditional methods, haptic virtual reality simulation (HVRS) has emerged as an increasingly popular alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the performance of third-year dental students between traditional PC and HVRS in pulpotomy, pulpectomy, and stainless steel crown (SSC) placement. Furthermore, the study purposed to identify the more convenient educational approach for improving student performance in dental procedures, based on evaluations conducted by a pediatric dentist (PD). The study consisted of a total of 28 questions. Students' experiences, responses, and performances across both environments were analyzed. The relationship between these performances was evaluated by a PD. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. According to the results of the study, 96.7% of our students "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that a pediatric dentistry PC course is necessary for our faculty's curriculum, and 46.7% "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that HVRS is supportive of PC training. Students perceived a significantly greater sense of safety when opening the access cavity for pulpotomy and pulpectomy in the HVRS environment compared to the conventional PC. The integration of HVRS into pediatric dentistry curricula may enhance clinical training.

Most surgical simulators leverage virtual or bench models to simulate reality. This study proposes and validates a method for workspace configuration of a surgical simulator which utilizes a haptic device for interaction with a virtual model and a bench model to provide additional tactile feedback based on planned surgical manoeuvers. Numerical analyses were completed to determine the workspace and position of a haptic device, relative to the bench model, used in the surgical simulator, and the determined configuration was validated using device limitations and user data from surgical and nonsurgical users. For the validation, surgeons performed an identical surgery on a cadaver prior to using the simulator, and their trajectories were then compared to the determined workspace for the haptic device. The configuration of the simulator was determined appropriate through workspace analysis and the collected user trajectories. Statistical analyses suggest differences in trajectories between the participating surgeons which were not affected by the imposed haptic workspace. This study, therefore, demonstrates a method to optimally position a haptic device with respect to a bench model while meeting the manoeuverability needs of a surgical procedure. The validation method identified workspace position and user trajectory towards ideal configuration of a mixed reality simulator.

Dental education requires students to acquire a certain skill set in addition to academic-based theoretical education. Changes in the education method, during the Covid-19 pandemic, have had different effects on dentistry students. The e-learning method offers advantages such as removing physical limits and supporting self-learning and creativity. However, clinical learning of dental education and the psychological state of the students affected negatively all around the world. Digital Simulation Technologies (DSTs) including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and haptic simulation, have been a valuable resource coping with adverse situations in dental education due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. DSTs need to be developed in the future on finger support, tactile sensation, force feedback, high screen resolution, depth perception in stereoscopic images, accurate deformation simulation, different training difficulty levels, big data technology in dental skills training.

Simulation-based training has become an integral component of dental education, evolving from traditional hands-on techniques to virtual reality (VR) and haptic-based systems. This review examines the historical progression, current applications, and emerging advancements in dental simulation technology. Early preclinical training relied on extracted teeth and phantom head models, providing students with basic technical skills. The introduction of VR-based simulators in the early 21st century enhanced training by integrating digital case scenarios and real-time performance feedback. This review underscores the transformative role of VR and haptic simulation in dental education, highlighting both achievements and areas requiring further research and development.

Texture enhances haptic interaction by providing unique, distinguishable, and versatile surfaces. In computer haptics, texture can render environments more realistic and provide useful information. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for virtual texture simulation by using solid noise, where only a few parameters need to be altered to generate a range of realistic and diverse textures by reproducing different frequencies similar to that of real vibrational signals in a virtual environment. The proposed method can capture the textural effect in a haptic simulation while retaining a simple overall geometry and stable update rate. This method also allows the user to change the texture at runtime and can be easily incorporated into any existing code and used in any traditional haptic device without affecting overall haptic-rendering performance. Moreover, the solid noise texture is independent of object geometry and can be applied to any shape without additional computations. We conducted a human-subject study to evaluate the recognition accuracy for each generated haptic texture as well as its realism and correspondence to real texture. The results indicated the high performance of the method and its ability to generate haptic textures with a very high recognition rate that were highly realistic.

Medical simulations are becoming more advanced and more reliable in training medical students and new surgeons. Especially in the context of delicate surgeries, such as cataract surgery, the medical community is shifting from traditional medical training to sophisticated virtual reality simulations. In this thesis, we present a simulation built in a three-dimensional environment that aids in training medical residents to perform cataract surgeries. The application utilizes haptic devices as a means of interaction, which enriches the application by providing a sense of touch and force-feedback to users. In addition, we discuss our modeling of the environment and the decisions undertaken in the design. We also compare this 3D application with similar applications in terms of functionality but with different user interfaces, and mention what was the eye surgeon's reaction towards each interface in the training simulation. Finally, we conclude with future modifications of the application and describe a future direction.

In 2015, Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (ChicagoCHEC) was formed to address cancer inequities. The Community Engagement Core (CEC) is one of the key components aimed at establishing meaningful partnerships between the academic institutions and the community. Herein, we describe ChicagoCHEC CEC processes, challenges, opportunities, successes, and preliminary evaluation results. CEC stresses participatory and empowerment approaches in all aspects of ChicagoCHEC work. Evaluation processes were conducted to assess, report back, and respond to community needs and to evaluate the strength of the partnership. CEC has facilitated meaningful community integration and involvement in all ChicagoCHEC work. The partnership resulted in annual cancer symposium; more than 50 outreach and education activities, including cancer screening and referrals; the development of health resources; and providing expertise in culturally and health literacy appropriate research targeting minorities. Preliminary partnership evaluation results show that ChicagoCHEC researchers and community partners have developed trust and cohesiveness and value the community benefits resulting from the partnership. CEC is essential in achieving research objectives following community participatory action research (CPAR) approaches. Some key lessons learned include 1) the need for clear, honest, and open channels of communication not only among the three participating academic institutions, but also among the community partners, 2) transparent operational processes, and 3) mutual trust and understanding regarding the different cultures, structure, foci and processes, expectations at each institution and partnering organization.

The Visibility Improvement State and Tribal Association of the Southeast (VISTAS) is one of five Regional Planning Organizations that is charged with the management of haze, visibility, and other regional air quality issues in the United States. The VISTAS Phase I work effort modeled three episodes (January 2002, July 1999, and July 2001) to identify the optimal model configuration(s) to be used for the 2002 annual modeling in Phase II. Using model configurations recommended in the Phase I analysis, 2002 annual meteorological (Mesoscale Meterological Model [MM5]), emissions (Sparse Matrix Operator Kernal Emissions [SMOKE]), and air quality (Community Multiscale Air Quality [CMAQ]) simulations were performed on a 36‐km grid covering the continental United States and a 12‐km grid covering the Eastern United States. Model estimates were then compared against observations. This paper presents the results of the preliminary CMAQ model performance evaluation for the initial 2002 annual base case simulation. Model performance is presented for the Eastern United States using speciated fine particle concentration and wet deposition measurements from several monitoring networks. Initial results indicate fairly good performance for sulfate with fractional bias values generally within ±20%. Nitrate is overestimated in the winter by approximately +50% and underestimated in the summer by more than −100%. Organic carbon exhibits a large summer underestimation bias of approximately −100% with much improved performance seen in the winter with a bias near zero. Performance for elemental carbon is reasonable with fractional bias values within ±40%. Other fine particulate (soil) and coarse particular matter exhibit large (80–150%) overestimation in the winter but improved performance in the summer. The preliminary 2002 CMAQ runs identified several areas of enhancements to improve model performance, including revised temporal allocation factors for ammonia emissions to improve nitrate performance and addressing missing processes in the secondary organic aerosol module to improve OC performance.

It has long been accepted that communication is of central importance in healthcare, and a core aspect of clinical competence. Many educational institutions and Royal Colleges now reflect this and...

Virtual simulation studies in nursing education: A bibliometric analysis of the top 100 cited studies, 2021

The Ceramic Stationary Gas Turbine (CSGT) Program has utilized the SPSLIFE computer code to evaluate the preliminary design of ceramic components. The CSGT program is being performed under the sponsorship of the United States Department of Energy, Office of Industrial Technology, to improve the performance of stationary gas turbines in cogeneration through the selective replacement of hot section components with ceramic parts. Preliminary design evaluation and life assessment results are presented here for the following components: (1) Stage 1 turbine blade, (2) Stage 1 turbine nozzle, and (3) combustor inner liner. From the results of the analysis, recommendations are made for improving the life and reliability of the components. All designs were developed in Phase I (preliminary design) of the CSGT program and will be optimized in Phase II (detail design) of the program.

To investigate the effect on final-product performance of a distributed, virtual reality (VR) simulation training program on cadaveric dissection performance and learning curves compared with standard VR simulation training during a temporal bone course. Educational interventional cohort study. The national Danish temporal bone courses of 2016 and 2017. Postgraduate year 2 to 5 residents in otorhinolaryngology. Nine participants volunteered for additional VR simulation training (intervention) before the temporal bone course, with training blocks distributed (i.e., separated). The remaining 28 participants received standard VR simulation training during the temporal bone course (control). VR simulation and cadaveric dissection final-product performances were analyzed by blinded raters using a 26-item modified Welling Scale. Distributed VR simulation training before the temporal bone course (intervention) significantly increased dissection final-product performance by 25% compared with standard VR simulation training during the course (control) (mean scores 12.8 points versus 10.3 points, p < 0.01). Distributed and repeated VR simulation practice markedly decreased drilling time. Guidance by the simulator-integrated tutor-function significantly increased final-product performance by 2.3 points compared with nontutored procedures but at the cost of increased drilling time. Skills acquired in a VR simulation environment translate to cadaveric dissection skills and repeated and distributed VR simulation can be used to further increase performance compared with standard VR simulation training during a temporal bone course. Further dissemination of inexpensive VR simulators would allow all future temporal bone course participants to train locally before attending future centralized courses.

In this paper, model-based precision force and position control of an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) is presented. A 23.8 mm × 3.4 mm × 0.16 mm IPMC strip was used as an actuator in a cantilever configuration. Open-loop force and position responses of an IPMC are not repeatable, and hence closed-loop precision control is of critical importance to ensure proper functioning, repeat-ability and reliability. After feedback controllers were designed and implemented with empirically obtained fourth-order plant transfer functions, the overshoot decreased from 460 to 2.8 per cent and the settling time was reduced from 37.5 to 3.22 s in force control. In position control the overshoot decreased from 333 to 20.3 per cent and the settling time was reduced from 21.5 to 2.56 s. Microscale precision force and position control capabilities of the IPMC actuator were also demonstrated experimentally. An 8 μN force resolution was achieved with a force noise of 0.5μN r.m.s., and the position resolution was 6 μm with a position noise of 2.5 μm r.m.s. The maximum force and tip displacement achieved with the IPMC actuator under closed-loop control were 2 mN and 5 mm respectively. The IPMC actuator could follow various commanded force and position trajectories such as sinusoidal and trapezoidal position profiles, and a velocity profile with a 3 mm/s maximum velocity. A novel hybrid force and position control strategy demonstrated its utility in practical micromanipulalion applications where the actuator force must be limited to prevent damaging micro-objects. High-precision control of the IPMC at low force level proved its potential for micromanufacturing and micromanipulation applications such as robotic and biomedical microgrippers.