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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/D503256/1
Title: A novel virtual reality surgery simulator using Boundary Element technology
Principal Investigator: Jones, Dr IA
Other Investigators:
Becker, Professor A Greenhalgh, Professor C Benford, Professor S
Vloeberghs, Professor M
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Mech Materials Manuf Eng Mgt
Organisation: University of Nottingham
Scheme: Follow on Fund (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 September 2005 Ends: 28 February 2006 Value (£): 35,656
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Med.Instrument.Device& Equip.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Information Technologies Healthcare
Creative Industries
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
There is increasing need to replace or enhance the on-the-job training of surgeons with new technology to allow simulation in a non-risk environment and ultimately make the final procedure on the live subject safer. Virtual reality (VR) is one such technology but the difficulty remains of simulating the physical behaviour (flexibility, ease of cutting) of the organs and tissues involved in a procedure. With EPSRC funding we have successfully proved the concept of simulating the process of neurosurgery by bringing together the concepts of virtual reality, computational mechanics (using boundary element technology to model deformable objects) and haptic devices which give tactile feedback. A surgical trainee can thus experience the tasks of deformation, cutting and retraction which take place within the surgical process. We now seek funding to incorporate simulations of more detailed aspects of neurosurgery, to explore various possible markets we have identified, and to improve the user interface, so as to take the project from its present proof-of-concept stage through to the prototype of a marketable product to facilitate licensing to a commercial vendor.
Key Findings
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk