Simulation of Needle Insertion Procedures

Open Access
- Author:
- Pepley, David
- Graduate Program:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- December 03, 2018
- Committee Members:
- Jason Zachary Moore, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Jason Zachary Moore, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Daniel Humberto Cortes Correales, Committee Member
Bo Cheng, Committee Member
Scarlett Rae Miller, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Healthcare
Surgical Simulation
Central Venous Catheterization
Surgical Training
Needle Insertion
Percutaneous Procedures
Haptics - Abstract:
- This dissertation contributes to the simulation of needle insertion procedures through the development of new simulation methods and devices. Experiments are conducted to understand the mechanics of needle insertion which leads to the development of both low cost training devices and high cost computer controlled simulators. The training potential of these simulators is then experimentally validated through studies conducted with novice and expert medical professionals. Using the knowledge gained from these studies, advanced needle insertion simulators can be developed, leading to improved training for medical professionals. Ultrasound manikins are commonly used training devices for ultrasound guided needle insertion procedures, however they are often very expensive and limited to representing idealized patient anatomy. The first set of experiments involves the building of low cost ultrasound manikins using modified PVC plastisol. Needle insertion force and ultrasound image comparison experiments show that modified PVC plastisol is more similar to cadaver tissue than many commonly used manikin materials. This leads to a method of building low cost manikins that can be customized to represent a variety of patient types. Computer-based surgical simulators have significant advantages in medical training including real time user feedback and the ability to simulate a variety of patients. This research developed a computer controlled haptic patient simulator for central venous catheterization. Experiments were conducted to create models for both ultrasound and haptic needle insertion simulation. The simulator was then developed and implemented into a resident training program and multiple research studies were conducted to compare traditional central venous catheterization training to computer simulation training. The research showed that the computer simulator was able to effectively train a variety central venous catheterization scenarios. Finally, a new method of creating haptic feedback was explored for use in needle insertion training. Experiments were conducted to measure the puncture forces of a variety of materials. This information was then implemented into a new haptic simulation device that uses the needle puncture of materials in a cartridge to simulate needle forces. Experiments showed the haptic device is able to accurately mimic the forces of a needle inserted into human tissue.