Specialists Create 4D Simulator

A team of specialists from both the Departments of Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology at Inselspital and the ARTORG Center of the University of Bern have developed a 4D simulator for the training of neurosurgical clipping (clamping the aneurysm) and endovascular coiling interventions (filling the aneurysm cavity).

The simulator reproduces the visual and haptic experience of the procedure based on 3D realistic replicas of skull, brain and blood vessels of the patient’s anatomy. In the simulator, the specialists find the precise 1:1 situation that will arise later in the real surgery. It accurately models the blood vessels, pulse, blood flow and the temporal aspects of the procedure.

It is used for both planning the actual clipping and coiling procedure and realistic practicing of an actual case. Due to the enhanced planning and pre-op practice, risks of complications can be reduced rigorously. In addition, it allows physicians to educate and explain the entire intervention to a patient in a 1:1 setting to support the patient’s motivation positively.

How has the pandemic shifted training for safety-critical training? Check out  Return to Work for Safety Critical Occupations.

The 4D simulator also offers new dimensions in the education and training of neurosurgical and neuroradiological specialists. Physicians can gain experience by training on the 4D simulator both during their residency training for the specialist title and during subsequent in-depth courses for specialists. In the context of training, there is also the possibility of quantifying and comparing the performance of the surgeons themselves. A first course of this kind is planned for summer 2021 in Bern.