3D/Virtual Reality Procedural Training

PI: Marc Tompkins - Associate Professor Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Overview: This project is a partnership between the Medical Devices Center (MDC) and the educational team in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. The goal is to provide enhanced remote educational learning opportunities for trainees. Specifically, the goal is to develop 3D models that can be manipulated through a software program written in the MDC. The models will allow the trainee to manipulate an anatomical area in order to familiarize themselves with the anatomy; this can be done at home or at any computer. A secondary goal is to facilitate surgical planning such that the 3D model can be used to template for surgery. Our initial focus is on arthroplasty, since that is a key procedure for orthopedic resident training. The trainee will be able to choose and place implants, based on the patient’s anatomy. All of these components will also be 3D printed in the MDC and sent to the trainees. This not only enhances their pre-operative education, but demonstrates competency to the attending, which can enhance the trainee’s opportunity for hands-on involvement within the operating room. During the COVID-19 period where the trainees are having limited operating room exposure, this will enhance their remote surgical education. The initial focus is on resident trainees, but can also be applied to fellows, medical students, or other trainees. This project can be expanded to other specialties within the Medical School or University, or could even become proprietary programming to be sold to other institutions. The 3D software is built for Virtual Reality, so as Virtual Reality headsets and opportunities become more pervasive, this can be transferred to Virtual Reality settings to further enhance the experience.

Budget: 10000 - Time spent in segmentation of DICOM files--$1000 Time spent in conversion of files to 3D/virtual reality software--$2000 Creation of video and interactive forms of training materials--$2000 Prints of anatomy--$3000 Medical Devices Center Team support Muhammad Ahsan (programmer)--$1000 Paul Rothweiler (MDC project director)--$500 Dr. Art Erdman (MDC Director)--$500

This project is supported by the UMN COVID-19 Medical Education Innovation Grants, which support full-time faculty (educators, investigators or clinical) or P&A educators at the University of Minnesota Medical School to develop education (basic science or clinical) and simulation projects related to COVID-19, more general pandemic-related knowledge and skills, or professional development activities that would be possible during this time of shelter at home.