Virtual repository of microscopic and neuro-endoscopic instrumentation in neurosurgery

Neurosurgical procedures are performed by microscopic and neuro-endoscopic approaches. Microscopy involves stereoscopic operating microscope and neuro-endoscopy includes rigid or flexible endoscopes for visualization. A set of functionally similar but morphologically different microscopic and neuro-endoscopic instruments are used in neurosurgery. There has been a significant advancement in the optics, but the instruments have many limitations. They have deprived ergonomics, single function and limited degrees of freedom. Hence, there is a need for the development of improved instruments. Training in neurosurgery for these procedures involves physical/ synthetic and virtual simulators. Virtual training modules are being developed for the training of surgical procedures and validation of surgical skills. For both these requirements, the virtual model of related neurosurgical instruments is the primary requirement. In the present work, we have developed a virtual repository of microscopic and neuro-endoscopic instruments of neurosurgery. The surface data of these instruments was acquired using blue light scanning technique and processed using computer aided designing to create solid models. These virtual models can be used for surgeon specific modification in the existing designs and for creating new designs. They can be directly fabricated using rapid prototyping methods for developing low-cost training apparatus and for the development of virtual reality trainers, video based neuro-navigation, and e-learning platforms.