Low-end haptic devices for knee bone drilling in a serious game
| Date | 06 April 2017 |
| Published date | 06 April 2017 |
| Pages | 241-253 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-07-2016-0047 |
| Author | Minh Nguyen,Mohammed Melaisi,Brent Cowan,Alvaro Joffre Uribe Quevedo,Bill Kapralos |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Low-end haptic devices for knee
bone drilling in a serious game
Minh Nguyen, Mohammed Melaisi and Brent Cowan
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Canada
Alvaro Joffre Uribe Quevedo
Mil. Nueva Granada University, Bogota, Colombia, and
Bill Kapralos
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Canada
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to exami ne the application of low-end, low-fi delity
(gaming/consumer-level) haptic devices for medical-based, surgical skills development (surgical bone-based
drilling in particular) with serious games and virtual simulations as an affordable training solution with the
potential of complementing current and traditional training methods.
Design/methodology/approach –The authors present the adaptation of two low-end haptic devices
(Novint Falcon and Geomagic 3D Touch) to simulate a surgical drill drilling through bone for a serious game
developed for total knee arthroplasty training. The implementation was possible through the analysis of the
bone drilling mechanics. The authors provide a quantitative comparison of both haptic devices with respect
to forces, movements, and development.
Findings –Although further testing is required, the initial results demonstrate that the low-end,
consumer-level haptic devices can be incorporated into virtual environments/serious games to allow for the
simulation of surgical drilling. The authors also believe that the results will generalize and allow these devices
to be used to simulate a variety of technical-based medical procedures.
Originality/value –In contrast to previous work where the focus is placed on cost-prohibitive haptic devices,
this approach considers affordable consumer-level solutions that can be easily incorporated into a variety of serious
games and virtual simulations. This holds promise that haptic-based virtual simulation and serious games become
more widespread, ultimately ensuring that medical trainees are better prepared before exposure to live patients.
Keywords Virtual simulation, Serious gaming, Haptic, Low fidelity
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure where part of
the knee joint surfaces is replaced with metal and polyethylene counterparts that mimic the
replaced cartilage bone (Scott and Insall, 2012). This is a common procedure
with approximately 400,000 knee replacements performed annually in the USA alone
(Manner,2008), while 4.7million were performedglobally in 2010(Maradit Kremerset al., 2015).
Manual drilling is a fundamental component of the TKA procedure. However, to properly
operate the surgical drill, surgeons must possess great dexterity (to compensate for vibrations
inherent with drilling, friction, and force), to achieve the desired depth without compromising
the bone, all of which require an extensive amount of training and practice (Tsai et al., 2007).
The field of simulation is currently seeing great effort and emphasis placed on the use
of virtual reality (VR) and video game-based technologies including serious games
(i.e. video games applied specifically to learning and training). Serious games provide a high
level of interactivity and engagement not easily captured in traditional teaching/learning
environments (Graafland et al., 2012). Serious gaming and virtual simulation provide
medical trainees the opportunity to acquire, practice, and maintain both non-technical skills World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 14 No. 2/3, 2017
pp. 241-253
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI10.1108/WJSTSD-07-2016-0047
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
The financial support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) with
the IMMERSe network, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC),
and the Mil. Nueva Granada University is gratefully acknowledged.
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Low-end
haptic devices
for knee bone
drilling
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