MEDUSA – Medical EDUcation in Surgical Aneurysm clipping

Combination of haptic and virtual components

Since haptics plays a very essential role in medical simulation, the areas in which touch and feel are relevant are artificially manufactured. For example, this is done by 3D printing or special casting processes. In addition, virtual models are used to simulate blood flow, for example, to provide the surgeon with an insight into the surgical procedure and its results.

Realistic neurosurgical simulator

Based on this hybrid approach, the MEDUSA consortium is developing an innovative neurosurgical simulator consisting of a 3D-printed skull with artificial brain tissue and virtually superimposed images that augment the simulation environment in real time. Neurosurgeons can haptically feel the artificially manufactured patient models (brain, meninges including arachnoid, blood vessels including aneurysm, skull, skin) and see internal, otherwise invisible anatomical structures as virtually generated holograms. The real and virtual worlds merge into a hybrid world that creates the greatest possible realism.

Training with real surgical instruments.

A high-precision multimodal position sensing system enables the use of real surgical instruments for simulation, completely without cables and computer input devices. This creates a natural user interface, allowing the surgeon to train with the instruments that are used in the operating room. The different instruments such as micro scissors, dissector and clipping forceps are automatically detected by the simulator and can be changed at any time during the simulation.

Modular design

MEDUSA is a unique mixed reality training simulator that offers a comprehensive curriculum. Surgical procedures on the brain are depicted in a realistic and high-resolution graphic and tissue behavior is simulated realistically. MEDUSA enables neurosurgeons to train and develop the skills required for clipping cerebral aneurysms efficiently and effectively.

The modular design allows training of both basic and complex surgical skills. These skills can be trained either in isolation or while simulating the entire surgical procedure. Didactic elements and teaching aids are developed in collaboration with medical experts and trainers to optimally reflect the teaching content on the diagnostic and surgical procedure as well as on anatomy.

Tomorrow’s Patient

Based on real medical image data, which is processed in just a few minutes based on artificial intelligence, the final version of MEDUSA 3.0 enables patient-specific preoperative planning (simulation of the surgical procedure on “tomorrow’s patient”). Neurosurgeons can thus optimally prepare for the upcoming aneurysm clipping operation and train complex surgical procedures in advance in a safe simulation environment. This protects the patients’ lives and increases the neurosurgeons’ sense of safety.

Developed by experts for experts

This challenging project is possible due to modern technologies and especially due to the excellent expertise of the consortium, consisting of seven research and six corporate partners. The use of synergies in the fields of neurosurgery, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, medical technology, material sciences and approval of medical products creates a lighthouse project that makes the business location of Upper Austria globally visible and establishes it in promising and profitable markets.