5 Examples of Innovation in Surgery & Surgical Education

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 :

1. Smart MR surgical glasses

2. Proximie

3. Simnow Intuitive

4. Fundamental Surgery

5. 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:

1. Visualize what the main surgeon sees during surgery

2. The link between different surgeons around the same surgical case

3. Having access to an archive of operations documented by the mixed reality

4. Participate in a remote operation

5. 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:

1. The surgeon can virtually attend a surgical operation while having made all 3D images, auditions, and videos, in real time.

2. Several surgeons can attend the same operation from different parts of the world and discuss it in real time, each bringing their own experience.

3. 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.

4. The user has 360° immersive vision.

5. 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:

1. Simulation of operations performed using the da Vinci robot using virtual reality, with 33 simulations available.

2. Access to 47 technical, fundamental, and high-performance exercises with practical learning modules.

3. A library of different operations and techniques.

4. The software allows residents to monitor their performance.

5. 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:

1. 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.

2. Repetition of surgical procedures while receiving real-time data through artificial intelligence.

3. Connecting colleagues in virtual operating rooms or training spaces around the world

4. Performance monitoring: manual movements, eyes, respect for tissues, taking human factors into account, thanks to artificial intelligence

5. 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:

1. Simulation of surgical operations using 3D anatomical models

2. Use of custom printed models to train on a particular gesture, as installation of materials (implants, staples…)

3. The surgeon can simulate a custom patient model

4. Simulation of laparoscopic operations

5. The surgeon has the same feeling of touching bones or soft tissue.