As a part of an ongoing effort to develop computerized training tools for cryosurgery, the current study presents a proof of concept for a computerized tool for cryosurgery tutoring.
The tutoring system lists geometrical constraints of cryoprobes placement, simulates cryoprobe insertion, displays a rendered shape of the prostate, enables distance measurements, simulates the corresponding thermal history, and evaluates the mismatch between the target region shape and a preselected planning isotherm. The quality of trainee planning is measured in comparison with a computer-generated planning, created for each case study by previously developed planning algorithms. The following two versions of the tutoring system have been tested in the current study: (1) an unguided version, where the trainee can practice cases in unstructured sessions and (2) an intelligent tutoring system, which forces the trainee to follow specific steps, believed by the authors to potentially shorten the learning curve. Although the tutoring level in this study aims only at geometrical constraints on cryoprobe placement and the resulting thermal histories, it creates a unique opportunity to gain insight into the process outside the operation room. Posttest results indicate that the intelligent tutoring system maybe more beneficial than the nonintelligent tutoring system, but the proof of concept is demonstrated with either system.
Written by:
Sehrawat A, Keelan R, Shimada K, Wilfong DM, McCormick JT, Rabin Y. Are you the author?
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The STAR Center, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of General Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The STAR Center, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Reference: Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2015 May 3. pii: 1533034615583187.
doi: 1533034615583187
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25941163