Updated: Jul 22
The goal of surgical training innovation is to shorten the learning curve of new techniques and improve performance.
Here are 5 examples of innovation in surgery and surgical education :
Smart MR surgical glasses
Proximie
Simnow Intuitive
Fundamental Surgery
Insight Surgery
01. Smart mixed reality surgical glasses
Surgeons can use Hololens 2 and Holoeyes, the user looks at the real world while manipulating the digital content generated by the device.
Source: Holoeyes
Here are 5 smart mixed-reality applications in surgical training:
Visualize what the main surgeon sees during surgery
The link between different surgeons around the same surgical case
Having access to an archive of operations documented by the mixed reality
Participate in a remote operation
Revive the experience of a long or rarely-performed operation
02. Proximie
Proximie is a software that allows surgeons to virtually attend any surgery in the world. The software is compatible with computers, tablets, and mobile phones.
Source: Proximie
The founder, Nadine Hachach-Haram, a plastic surgeon, aims to strengthen surgeons' performance by combining augmented reality technology with artificial intelligence.
Here are 5 applications of Proximie in surgical training:
The surgeon can virtually attend a surgical operation while having made all 3D images, auditions, and videos, in real time.
Several surgeons can attend the same operation from different parts of the world and discuss it in real time, each bringing their own experience.
Haptic gloves: the gloves designed by Proximie allow surgeons to show the exact location of the incision, in real time, or to make a surgical gesture using the gloves.
The user has 360° immersive vision.
Proximie documents the operation, allowing residents to review and criticize their performance. The resident may have documented any surgical procedures by a senior surgeon.
03. Simnow Intuitive
Simnow is an intuitive surgical system software for the simulation of their da Vinci surgical robot. Software with updates, automatic, and compatible with computers, tablets, and mobile phones.
Source: Intuitive
Here are 5 applications of Simnow in surgical training:
Simulation of operations performed using the da Vinci robot using virtual reality, with 33 simulations available.
Access to 47 technical, fundamental, and high-performance exercises with practical learning modules.
A library of different operations and techniques.
The software allows residents to monitor their performance.
The software allows repetitive virtual simulation without the need for hardware or fabric.
04. Fundamental Surgery
Fundamental Surgery is an immersive virtual reality surgical education platform accredited by the American Association of Orthopedics and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Source: Fundamental Surgery
The platform hosts 3 HapticVR™, StandaloneVR, and CollaborationVR software packages. The platform uses virtual surgical glasses, touch units, 3D systems, and robotic arms. They can be used individually or in combination, with the possibility of using smart glasses anywhere.
Here are 5 basic surgical applications in surgical training:
Acquire a sense of touch using tactile systems that accurately simulate the sensations of bone textures, muscles, and soft tissues, as well as their interaction with surgical tools and medical devices. This speeds up the acquisition of skills.
Repetition of surgical procedures while receiving real-time data through artificial intelligence.
Connecting colleagues in virtual operating rooms or training spaces around the world
Performance monitoring: manual movements, eyes, respect for tissues, taking human factors into account, thanks to artificial intelligence
Remote simulations
05. Insight Surgery
Insight Surgery is a 3D printing company, which offers customized anatomical models of each patient, surgical guides, and customized implants. The company also uses these models in simulations.
Source: Insight Surgery
Here are 5 applications of Insight surgery in surgical training:
Simulation of surgical operations using 3D anatomical models
Use of custom printed models to train on a particular gesture, as installation of materials (implants, staples…)
The surgeon can simulate a custom patient model
Simulation of laparoscopic operations
The surgeon has the same feeling of touching bones or soft tissue.
Updated: Jun 28
Innovative skills are becoming increasingly important for healthcare professionals in today's rapidly evolving medical field.
With new technologies, surgeons can think creatively, adapt quickly, and stay at the forefront of their profession.
The future surgeons will require the 5 following major skills:
Multidisciplinary collaborator
Data-driven decision-maker
Digital leader
Super-communicator
Community leader
1. Multidisciplinary collaborator
A multidisciplinary collaborator is a person who can work effectively with people from different fields and disciplines.
They can bring together diverse perspectives and approaches to solve complex problems.
They are skilled at bridging the gap between fields and can communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds.
Likewise, they are valuable members of any team because they can bring a unique and well-rounded perspective to the table.
For example, coordinating between surgeons, data scientists, and software engineers.
2. Data-driven decision-maker
A data-driven decision-maker is a person who uses data and factual evidence to inform their decisions and actions.
They rely on data to make informed, evidence-based choices rather than gut instincts or personal opinions.
Data-driven decision-makers are highly analytical and are skilled at collecting, organizing, and interpreting data.
They are also skilled at using data visualization tools and techniques to communicate their findings to others.
They can evaluate new technologies in healthcare and adopt them.
3. Digital leader
Digital leaders can adapt to change quickly and are skilled at identifying and leveraging new technologies to drive innovation.
They can navigate the complex digital transformation landscape, stay ahead of the curve, and allow more personalized, preventive, and predictive patient care.
4. Super-communicator
They can convey technical concepts and ideas related to the use of technology in healthcare and are also skilled at actively listening to and understanding the perspectives of others.
5. Community leader
They are skilled at identifying the needs and challenges of their community and can develop and implement strategies to address these issues.
They can inspire and empower others to make a difference in their community and are highly valued for their leadership and commitment to improving the lives of those around them.
Surgeons with these innovative skills are better equipped to provide comprehensive patient care and develop innovative surgical solutions for complex medical conditions.
As new technologies and techniques emerge, surgeons need to embrace innovation and continue to learn and adapt throughout their careers.
Updated: Jun 28
Innovative thinking is using your mind to consider something new or in a better way. It is thinking out of the traditional library box to devise better means of doing regular tasks or accomplishing some things and achieving the same or better results.
What is innovative thinking?
Innovative thinking is a creative thought process used to generate ideas and solutions. It is a complex task that involves finding new methods to approach problems or procedures.
Innovation includes the ability to think outside the box to achieve goals or come up with novel solutions to difficult situations using the environment, objects, or circumstances in an unusual way.
The application of elements such as creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and risk-taking; innovative thinking incorporates some or all the following traits such as curiosity, imagination, inventiveness, playfulness, flexibility, and persistence.
Why is innovative thinking important?
We often say that surgery is an art and science of precision, art involves creative thinking and science involves critical thinking. A surgeon must, then, have both, creative and critical thinking, it’s called innovative thinking.
Innovative thinking is about being creative and flexible.
The definition of innovative thinking is the ability to come up with new ideas and novel approaches to difficulties.
As technology is moving fast, your ability to be flexible and to adapt to change is crucial if you want to have a successful, or even long, career.
How to develop innovative thinking
Solve a Problem
Innovating thinking typically results from considering a problem people have, even if they don’t recognize it.
One example is the whiteboard. It's a great tool for brainstorming and a staple in many offices. However, whiteboards aren't always portable because they're attached to walls or cumbersome trolleys. They also become dirty and dull over time.
Be curious about subjects unrelated to your work
Exposing yourself to activities or subjects you’re unfamiliar with can give you a fresh perspective. Knowledge from other fields, even if it is not directly related to your field, helps you think differently.
Use the random word method
This method applies to certain tasks. For example, you need to make a presentation, but you have no idea what style to make it in.
Choose any noun and write ten association words for it. Next, for each association word, come up with three ways you can use this word to solve your problem.
Come up with new ways to use common items
Think about any object and how it’s typically used. For example, a paperclip’s main purpose is to attach sheets of paper.
Next, think about ways in which one cannot use this item. This may not be as easy as you think. You will begin to come up with rebuttals.
Assimov said, "What is needed is not only people with a good background in a particular field, but also people capable of making a connection between item one and item two which might not ordinarily seem connected."
Innovation is about drawing connections between different ideas. You can do this as part of a group or alone. Often, innovative thinking comes from combining popular ideas or products from different disciplines.