Smart glove to train young surgeons

A glove is being trialled at Liverpool Hospital that gives surgical trainees instant and accurate feedback. Researchers say the gloves could also be used by musicians and artists.

Engineers at Western Sydney University have invented a new surgical glove built around low-cost sensors which can record hand movements in fine detail, giving trainee surgeons and their mentors actionable data to evaluate and improve on intricate surgical procedures.

The research team are working closely with surgeons and students at Liverpool Hospital to develop the technology, which will augment rather than replace traditional surgical training.

Dr Gough Lui, who led the work, believes the device could objectively measure the intricate hand manoeuvres of surgeons, allowing for clear and actionable feedback for trainees.

"Training surgeons in a more objective and evidence-based manner ensures evidence-based competency," says Dr Lui. "Teachers will be able to give precise feedback on minute details post-surgery, and students can analyse their performance."

Surgical techniques have advanced significantly in the last century, but surgical training still fundamentally relies on observation - mentors looking over the shoulder of trainees to give personal feedback.

Technology like simulators is hugely expensive, so students have limited access.

The gloves developed by Gough and his team collect motion data and relay them to a smartphone or computer, where each tiny movement is recorded and visualised.

The gloves are not a replacement for trainers, but instead augment their ability to give advice.

The researchers have been working closely with surgeons at Liverpool Hospital to make sure the device meets the exacting requirements of surgical skills training.

"A surgeon's hands do delicate work, and the prototype needed to enhace that without adding bulk or distraction to the glove," says Gough.

For example, the first model had wires and sensors on the fingertips, but later prototypes used sensors on the forearm and the back of the hand to capture force and motion data without interfering with the surgeon's own sensitive hands.

Next steps include developing a mobile app so students might take the gloves home for practice.

Beyond surgery, the team hope the gloves could help other professionals who rely on manual dexterity, such as musicians and artists.

Related Links
Western Sydney University
Space Medicine Technology and Systems

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Engineers develop a 'magnetic tentacle robot' to pass into the narrow tubes of the lung
Leeds UK (SPX) Mar 23, 2022
Engineers and scientists have developed proof of concept for a robot that can reach some of the smallest bronchial tubes in the lungs - to take tissue samples or deliver cancer therapy. Known as a magnetic tentacle robot, it measures just 2 millimetres in diameter, about twice the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. Magnets on the outside of the patient will be used to guide the tentacle robot into place. The device has been developed by a team of engineers, scientists and clinicians b ... read more