By: 2 November 2018
Immersive simulator allows surgeons to feel like they are performing actual surgery

FundamentalVR recently launched Fundamental Surgery, a first-of-its-kind software as a service (SaaS) software platform that combines virtual reality (VR) with cutting-edge haptics (the sense of touch) to create a low-cost and scalable flight simulator experience for trainee and qualified surgeons.

Unlike other medical training simulations that make professionals feel like they have been through a game-like experience, Fundamental Surgery creates an authentic environment that allows users to experience and navigate the same visuals, sounds and feelings they would during a real surgical procedure.

At the heart of the system is its unique Surgical Haptic Intelligence EngineTM (SHIETM), which is calibrated to mimic real life sensations of numerous medical tools and tissue variants. By combining immersive haptic technology with low cost, off-the-shelf hardware, Fundamental Surgery is democratising surgical simulation through plug-and-play simplicity and a hitherto unachievable price point – less than a cost of one cadaver.

Fundamental Surgery was created by a team of VR, haptic specialists and surgical training experts and has been extensively tested by over 500 surgeons.

Current procedures supported include Spinal Pedicle Screw Placement, Posterior Hip Replacement and Total Knee Arthroplasty. Further orthopaedic procedures will be added during Q4 2018 with other disciplines, including general surgery and cardiovascular slated for 2019.

Despite the massive advancements in science and medical technology, the way surgeons are trained has remained largely unchanged for the past 150 years. Typically, this consists of classroom-based theory, theatre-style viewing of cadaver-based teaching, observation in the operating room (generally far removed from the actual procedure), hands-on cadaver practice (expensive, limited use), closely monitored live patient involvement and, increasingly, YouTube.

The introduction of simulations to supplement learning is a recent development. However, current solutions either require special, static machinery that cost $100K+ or provides a game-like experience with no sense of touch. This means only 0.5 per cent of the world’s surgeons have access to simulations.

“Our mission is to democratise surgical training by placing safe, affordable and authentic simulations within arm’s reach of every surgeon in the world,” said Richard Vincent, founder and CEO of FundamentalVR. “With the help of some of the top minds in medicine, as well some of the most advanced VR and haptic programmers, we have created a solution that can be deployed anywhere – with limited investment – to allow surgeons to learn and hone their skills over and over again in a safe and controlled environment.”