PsT1: A Low-Cost Optical Simulator for Psychomotor Skills Training in Neuroendoscopy.
BACKGROUND
Well-developed psychomotor skills are important for competence in minimally invasive surgery. Neuroendoscopy is no exception, and adaptation to different visual perspectives and careful handling of the surgical instruments are mandatory. Few training systems, however, focus on developing psychomotor skills for neuroendoscopy. Here, we introduce a new training system called PsT1 that provides visual feedback via the use of simple optics that emulate the endoscope at 0° and 30°. Time and error metrics are generated automatically with integrated software to ensure objective assessment.


METHODS
Neuroendoscopic optics were emulated with a low-cost, commercially available universal serial bus 2.0 camera and a light-emitting diode light source. Visual feedback of 30° was obtained by displacing the optical axis of the universal serial bus camera by 30°, and metrics (time, precision, and errors) were generated automatically by the software. Three evaluation modules were developed (spatial adaptation, depth adaptation, and dissection), and 35 expert and nonexpert neurosurgeons performed an initial evaluation of the system.


RESULTS
A total of 81% and 90% of surgeons agreed that the visuals were satisfactory and movement and control were accurately replicated, respectively. The advantages and disadvantages of the system were compared.


CONCLUSIONS
Here, we present a novel, low-cost, and easy-to-implement training system for developing basic neuroendoscopic psychomotor skills. The use of objective metrics, surgical instruments, and emulation of the neuroendoscope at 0° and 30° are competitive advantages of the current system.
['Espinoza|Daniel Lorias|DL|', 'González Carranza|Vicente|V|', 'Chico-Ponce de León|Fernando|F|', 'Martinez|Arturo Minor|AM|']
D000328:Adult D002983:Clinical Competence D003198:Computer Simulation D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis D003867:Depth Perception D005260:Female D006801:Humans D010535:Laparoscopy D008297:Male D009048:Motor Skills D044583:Neuroendoscopy D055620:Optical Phenomena D011597:Psychomotor Performance D012984:Software D013028:Space Perception
Neuroendoscopy Metrics Angled optics Box trainer Degrees of freedom