Hysteroscopy is the inspection of the uterine cavity through the use of an endoscope. Due to the nature of the procedure, training is required for resident doctors to better their skills before working on a patient. However high costs, the need for doctor supervision and the effort required to simulate the procedure, makes it less frequent that resident doctors get to practice.
The project outcome was a low cost Hysteroscopy Simulator for resident doctors that was as purposeful as its virtual counterparts. With close attention to the anatomy of the uterus and common uterine pathologies, the Hysteroscopy Simulator is able to simulate closely the various abnormalities present in the uterus that would require diagnosis and/or operation. Low cost and efficient set up allows for many doctors to be able to practice anytime they want, honing their surgical skills and allowing for practice in diagnosis and operation.
Material exploration was done to simulate tactility and haptic feedback, so as to simulate closely the behaviour of the uterus when inspected and probed with an endoscope. Instruments used for Hysteorscopy were also simulated (CAD and 3D printed) with a 5mm diameter camera incorporated into the instrument to allow for proper simulation, mimicking actual procedure. Connecting the camera to a monitor or projector allows for visual output that corresponds to the movement of the instrument in the Simulator.
The Simulator was chosen to be further developed in the Design Incubation Centre in the National University of Singapore. Patent filed with ongoing user testings in the National University Hospital.
Hysteroscopy Simulator
2013
2013