Virtual Transluminal Endoscopic Skill Trainer (VTEST)

VTEST Simulator
Focus Area: 
Haptics and Virtual Reality
Real-time Computational Algorithms

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is an emerging surgical paradigm, where peritoneal access is achieved through one of the natural orifices of the body. It is being reported as a safe and feasible surgical technique with significantly reduced external scarring. Virtual Translumenal Endoscopic Surgical Trainer (VTEST™) is the first virtual reality simulator for the NOTES. Through collaboration with clinical leaders in the NOTES field, the VTEST™ simulator was designed to train surgeons to successfully complete a hybrid transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy procedure. Ultimately, the VTEST™ may lead to surgical trainees with higher patient outcomes for a NOTES based procedure.

Project Sponsor: 
https://www.nih.gov/
Grant Name: 
NIH/NIBIB R01EB009362