Workflow based architecture for surgical training simulator

Abstract

This dissertation proposes workflow based architecture of surgical training simulator. The unit surgical operation (USO) concept is introduced, and it is defined as the smallest authoring unit to compose a surgical training scenario. The scenario definition tool is also developed and introduced in this thesis. This authoring tool allows the facile simulator construction by simply designing surgical training scenarios. The workflow based architecture is four-layered structured that enables the scenario developers to edit the surgical training scenario with the lego-like predefined building blocks. Therefore, the gradual based training curriculum can be delivered to the trainees. Secondly, one of the most popular state-based modeling method, state graph, has researched to model the surgical training simulator objects’ general behaviors. The parameterized state graph is formally defined and a practical example of general jo shop in illustrated in this thesis. Finally, the developed workflow based surgical training simulator is also delivered in this thesis. In the surgical training simulator, twenty four USO blocks are defined and the nine surgical training scenarios are modeled, and finally implemented as the simulators. A gradual training curriculum is also developed within the training simulator, ten trainees have taken the training session.