Project Overview
Traditional surgical training relies heavily on observation and limited hands-on practice, creating gaps in skill development and objective assessment capabilities that can impact patient safety and training consistency. This project develops advanced sensorized medical phantoms that combine 3D-printed anatomically accurate bone structures with tissue-like gel materials, embedded with sophisticated force and motion sensors to provide realistic tactile feedback and comprehensive skill assessment. The core innovation integrates multi-material manufacturing with embedded sensing technology to create training platforms that go beyond visual inspection, recording precise technique data and enabling objective performance evaluation. Key technical challenges include achieving realistic tissue properties across different materials, integrating sensor networks without compromising anatomical accuracy, and developing analytics systems that provide meaningful feedback for skill development.
Clinical applications span orthopedic surgery training, IV insertion skill development, and specialized procedures like hand/wrist surgery, with validated implementations across major medical institutions including Allegheny General Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins. The technology addresses critical needs in residency education, continuing medical education, and surgical certification by providing standardized, repeatable training experiences with quantitative performance metrics. Active collaborations with medical schools and hospital systems drive continuous improvement and clinical validation, while the phantom design supports both individual skill development and comprehensive training program assessment. The research team seeks partnerships with medical device manufacturers, healthcare institutions, and medical education organizations, offering opportunities to revolutionize surgical training through advanced simulation technology and contribute to improved patient safety through better-prepared healthcare professionals.