A haptics-based ultrasound examination training system

We present a novel haptic-based simulator for training radiology residents and sonographers. The system consists of a force feedback haptic device that interacts in real-time with registered 3D multi-modality data sets of a subject anatomy, rendered and sliced simultaneously. The proposed system allows to develop radiology expertise with minimum practice on live patients, or in places or at times when radiology devices or patients with rare cases may not be available. The haptic interface guarantees position correspondence between the operator’s hand and a virtual probe. Thus the simulated procedure emulates actual examinations condition in clinic. Preliminary human factor studies have demonstrated satisfactory performance of the system.