Brain Surgery Simulator Is Like Trauma Center, But Legit
Brain surgeons in Halifax, Canada can now do dry runs of brain surgeries using models of their patients. Their new simulator uses MRI images to allow them to go to down on digital copies of busted brains.
First, patient data from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is rendered into a 3-D, high-resolution model of an individual’s brain. After the model is loaded into the system, doctors can touch and manipulate tumors and other virtual objects on screens in real time using a physical instrument resembling a scalpel. The instrument has six degrees of freedom and re-creates the force-feedback of the real tool and the varying resistance of tissue in brain regions with differing toughness. Meanwhile, photo-realistic on-screen imagery shows the simulated surgery, including bleeding and pulsing grey matter.
How long until this thing is ported to the Wii? [Technology Review via PopSci]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
This is fantastic! I got to meet the brain surgeon who pioneered the "Awake Craniotomy" which is the surgery you see here with the live MRI during the surgery. He was an incredible doctor and if people can practice to be as good as him, well that's just awesome.
Thanks Dr. Bernstein for saving my bf's life! And as you said, I also hope I never see you again.
@MyNameIsTooAwesome: Dammit Jack, you've killed him 50 times already, stay focused. This isn't Brain Surgery ya know.
@Jrsy Devil's Food Cake®: Thank god the don't use that to reherse
@Curves: Hey, at least she wasn't illegally downloading music...
Ok, I've got the next big thing... The At Home Work Simulator.. It'll make me millions
Uncletwitch
@OMG! Ponies!: What?! Why have they not discussed this on Dateline yet?
Now here's my question: is there any way that they could just sock me out so there's no way that I'll know I'm at work? Can I just come home and think I've been fishing all day or something?
Don't be scared, Molly. Show me on this doll where the Neuro touched you.
Back in the day this was the only surgical simulator you ever needed...
@(Zombie) Goldwings: I bet with a small tweak to the program, you can simulate carving a perfect roast pork!
@mikeg1130: We had Brain Salad Surgery back in the '70s by these guys named ELP. It was non-invasive and provoked various stimuli when combined with strong drugs.
jthh
That was a facinating lesson and I am excited to know how the medical field can evolve using this technology by incorporating it in other feilds.
BTW does anyone else feel hungry? Great now I'm excited and want brains :/
We had a Brain Surgery simulator back in the early 90's. It was more of a game, but it took a lot of studying and some serious concentration .
mikeg1130
McCoy would have appreciated having some stick time on this before cracking open that green blooded sonofabitch's melon..
This + Project NATAL is gonna give the next Grand Theft Auto title some amazing kidney harvesting minigames.
There is a brain surgery sim already on line. I found my daughter doing it one day, and I nearly fainted from horror. She told me to get over it and kept on operating.
@Jux: Well duh!
You can't cut into someone's head. That'll kill them! Don't you know anything? Just like you can't do open-heart surgery or organ transplants. All that stuff - science fiction.
It's mass hypnosis. The doctors just make everyone believe they've healed the person. So that guy who had brain surgery? In real life, he's shambling down the street with a festering head wound.
Right in the middle of the dry run it gets a BSOD, that would be hilarious.
@Jux: Strong disregard for life. :P
Which do I cut?????? The red one or blue one?!!!!!!?
BergenCountyJC
Man, stuff like this gives me the heebie jeebies. I have no idea how these doctors do it.
yeeeah boieeee.. my hometown. Go Hali.
EWWWWW... BLOOD... :)
Ogami
Coming soon for dentists: mouth simulator! Where a simulated patient can be admonished for not flossing enough and you practice handing it a free toothbrush that will never used.
@Jux: They make medical students play video games until they are completely desensitized.
Hello Mister Walrus
Halifax, Nova Scotia. You don't hear us saying Boston, USA. C'mon now. ;)
That said, that looks absolutely gross.. and fascinating.