Integrating Tactile Feedback in an Acetabular Reamer for Surgical VR-Training

Surgical VR-simulators including haptic and tactile feedback can severely improve the training of surgeons. However, so far only minimally invasive surgery benefited from the capabilities of VR. For non-minimally invasive surgery, only one prototype to simulate the reaming of the acetabula during hip joint replacement surgery exists, which is unable to simulate the vibrations of the surgical reamer. By integrating electronic components, a tactile reamer, able to simulate the vibrations, could be developed. A qualitative assessment with orthopedic surgeons revealed that the simulated sound of the vibrations is realistic but the intensity of the vibrations needs to be improved.