Computer-based Simulation System for Dental Procedures

描述(由申请人提供)：近年来，模拟技术的快速发展对临床牙科培训产生了重大影响。计算机图形学的引入，与力反馈(触觉)设备一起，有可能在广泛的技能获得方面进一步改善临床培训。鉴于修复性牙科手术是在复杂的3D空间中计划的干预，这些技术的应用将允许学生和临床医生在虚拟3D世界中练习技能获取。该项目的目的是进一步开发和评估一个基于计算机的牙科手术模拟系统。我们的第一阶段项目成功地证明了项目所有具体目标的技术可行性。这一新颖的系统集成了3D配准多模式成像数据(microCT和微磨削)，为用户提供了3D空间中成像数据的交互式、立体、3D计算机生成的重建，并允许与多个虚拟仪器与该数据集进行交互，同时使用独特的高级分布式处理系统生成每秒超过1000次更新的实时触觉反馈。在该系统中开发的先进核心技术将被用于第二阶段SBIR，以产生有用的、严肃的、经临床验证的对临床医生通常会遇到的各种牙齿准备的模拟。这样的系统将有助于牙科学生的初步培训；将为学生评估提供客观、定量的衡量标准；并将有助于在实践中对临床医生进行持续培训、评估和再培训。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In recent years training in clinical dentistry has been significantly impacted by the rapid growth of simulation technology. The introduction of computer graphics, together with force-feedback (haptic) devices, has the potential to further improve clinical training across a broad range of skills acquisition. Given that a restorative dental procedure is a planned intervention in a complex 3-D space, the application of these technologies would allow the student and clinician alike to practice skills acquisition in a virtual 3D world. The aim of this project is to further develop and evaluate a computer-based simulation system for dental procedures. Our Phase I project was successful in demonstrating technical feasibility of all specific aims of the project. This novel system integrated 3D registered multimodal imaging data (microCT and microgrinding), presented the user with an interactive, stereoscopic, 3D computer-generated reconstruction of the imaging data in a 3D space, and allowed for the interaction with that dataset with a number of virtual instruments while generating real-time haptic feedback at over 1000 updates per second using a unique, advanced distributed processing system. The advanced core technologies developed in this system would be leveraged for this Phase II SBIR to produce a useful, no-nonsense, clinically-validated simulation of the complete variety of tooth preparations that clinicians would typically encounter. Such a system would be useful for initial training of dental students; would provide for objective, quantitative metrics for student evaluation; and would be useful for continual training, evaluation and retraining of clinicians in practice.