Description

Thoracoscopic Training VR is a Virtual Reality simulation platform developed as part of my Master’s Thesis in Computer Science and Engineering. It is designed to train thoracic surgery residents in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), addressing the need for accessible, risk-free training tools by simulating realistic soft-tissue behavior without the high costs of traditional physical simulators.

Developed for Meta Quest 2, the system utilizes Extended Position-Based Dynamics (XPBD) to accurately model the physical properties of lung tissue. It features a custom particle-based physics engine that handles deformable objects, volume preservation, and collision detection in real-time. The platform provides immediate visual and haptic feedback, allowing trainees to practice complex surgical maneuvers and soft-body manipulation in a controlled environment.

The simulator includes a suite of training scenarios with increasing difficulty and a built-in assessment system that tracks performance metrics. A validation study conducted with residents at the University of Turin demonstrated the system’s effectiveness in improving surgical skills and its high perceived realism.

Authors

Marco Domenico Buttiglione (Politecnico di Milano), Francesco Guerrera (Università di Torino), Pietro Piazzolla (Politecnico di Milano), Giorgio Colombo (Politecnico di Milano), and Marco Gribaudo (Politecnico di Milano).

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