Bristol University researchers seek to improve medical training with 'computational efficiency' surgical simulation

A team of researchers, at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, has made a significant breakthrough in improving the precision of medical needle-use during surgical simulation. 

This team's findings, published in the journal Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, offer promising prospects for improved training methods for junior surgeons and the development of surgical robotic solutions, according to a news release. 

“The computational efficiency of the methods, combined with their accuracy allows their integration into surgical simulation environments, aimed at the training of junior surgeons," said Athanasios Martsopoulos, the study's lead author and doctor of philosophy in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, in the release. 

“Surgical simulation constitutes an integral part of modern medical practices, as it offers a safe environment for surgeons to train in, but also a framework for planning, researching and better understanding surgical interventions," he added.

By developing computationally efficient and highly-accurate mathematical models of flexible medical needles using the theory of continuum mechanics, the team sought to enhance the training of junior surgeons and facilitate the development of surgical robotic solutions. This advancement has the potential to revolutionize surgical training, according to the release. 

One of the key achievements of this study was the reduction in computational complexity, compared to previous investigations, allowing for more practical and streamlined simulations. 

According to the release, the development of these mathematical models holds crucial implications for surgical training environments for junior doctors. By incorporating these models into surgical simulation solutions, trainee surgeons can experience a more realistic and immersive training environment that closely replicates real-life surgical procedures. 

Martsopoulos emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, "The proposed algorithms are readily available for integration with such simulation solutions and they aim to enhance their visual and haptic fidelity." 

The release noted the next phase of the research will involve utilizing these proposed mathematical models alongside computationally efficient and accurate human tissue models. This will serve as the foundation for "modeling the dynamics of virtual surgical instruments within a fully featured medical simulation solution."