**Author details**

Venketesh N. Dubey and Neil Vaughan *School of Design, Engineering and Computing, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK* 

Michael Y. K. Wee and Richard Isaacs *Department of Anaesthesia, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, UK* 

#### **14. References**

408 Practical Applications in Biomedical Engineering

many clinical procedures.

**13. Conclusions** 

**Author details** 

Venketesh N. Dubey and Neil Vaughan

Michael Y. K. Wee and Richard Isaacs

**Figure 19.** Prototype 3D graphics epidural simulator with haptic device interface

problems as demonstrated for the epidural procedure.

from T2 – L5 and needle direction from midline to paramedian. The 3D graphics allow a close-up real time view of the needle internally during insertion. The virtual patient can adjust to various body shapes, weights and heights since body size considerably affects insertion force. These all have roots in biomedical engineering that can potentially enhance

The application of biomedical engineering approaches can help simplify many clinical

We have described in this chapter, the developed measuring devices which have successfully recorded the data on resultant pressure and depth of epidural Tuohy needles during insertions in a porcine model. These data are very useful in developing a realistic high fidelity epidural simulator. We aim to measure pressures in-vivo with obstetric patients in labour of differing body mass indices and integrating this data with ultrasound and MRI scan imaging data. It is our belief that the resulting epidural simulator based on such data will replicate the in-vivo procedure more accurately since it is going to be based

The overall benefits of applying biomedical engineering techniques to this research are that we are able to achieve a high degree of accuracy and improved technology for replicating the epidural procedure. By achieving higher realism and accuracy of simulation, epiduralists will be better trained with the procedure and this in turn will improve patient

*School of Design, Engineering and Computing, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK* 

*Department of Anaesthesia, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, UK* 

on patient specific information. No such simulator exists at the present time.

safety by minimizing the risk of failure and harm to patients.

	- [17] Pasko, A., Adzhiev, V. and Comninos, P., Heterogeneous Objects Modelling and Applications, 2008, Springer, Germany.
	- [18] Sairyo, K, Biyani, A, Goel, V, Leaman, D, Booth, R, Thomas, J, Gehling, D, Vishnubhotla, L, Long, R, Ebraheim, N. Pathomechanism of Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy: A Multidisciplinary Investigation Based on Clinical, Biomechanical, Histologic, and Biologic Assessments, Spine. Issue: Volume 30(23), 1 December 2005, pp 2649-2656.
	- [19] Cheng, PA. 1963, The anatomical and clinical aspects of epidural anesthesia, Anesthesia and Analgesia; 42(1), pp. 398–406.
	- [20] Magalhães, DSF, Serra, RL, Vannucci, AL, Moreno, AB, and Li, LM. 2012, Glasses-Free 3D Viewing Systems for Medical Imaging, Optics and Laser Technology, 44(3), pp. 650- 655.
	- [21] Coles, T. R, Meglan, D, and John, N. W. 2011, The Role of Haptics in Medical Training Simulators: A Survey of the State of the Art, IEEE Transactions on haptics, 4(1), pp. 51– 66.
	- [22] Halvorsen, FH, Elle, OJ, and Fosse, E. 2005, Simulators in Surgery, Minimally Invasive Therapy and Allied Technologies, 14(4), pp. 214-223.
	- [23] Vaughan N, Dubey VN, Wee MYK, Isaacs R. Haptic interface on measured data for epidural simulation, ASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference DETC2012- 70891, August 12-15, 2012, Chicago, IL, USA.
	- [24] Hiemenz, L, 2001, Force models for needle insertion created from measured needle puncture data, Medicine meets virtual reality, pp. 180-6.
	- [25] Vaughan N, Dubey VN, Wee MYK, Isaacs R. Advanced Epidural Simulator with 3D Flexible Spine and Haptic Interface, DMD2012-6837, ASME Design of Medical Devices Conference (DMD 2012), 10-12 April, Minneapolis (USA).

2649-2656.

655.

66.

Applications, 2008, Springer, Germany.

and Analgesia; 42(1), pp. 398–406.

Therapy and Allied Technologies, 14(4), pp. 214-223.

puncture data, Medicine meets virtual reality, pp. 180-6.

Conference (DMD 2012), 10-12 April, Minneapolis (USA).

70891, August 12-15, 2012, Chicago, IL, USA.

[17] Pasko, A., Adzhiev, V. and Comninos, P., Heterogeneous Objects Modelling and

[18] Sairyo, K, Biyani, A, Goel, V, Leaman, D, Booth, R, Thomas, J, Gehling, D, Vishnubhotla, L, Long, R, Ebraheim, N. Pathomechanism of Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy: A Multidisciplinary Investigation Based on Clinical, Biomechanical, Histologic, and Biologic Assessments, Spine. Issue: Volume 30(23), 1 December 2005, pp

[19] Cheng, PA. 1963, The anatomical and clinical aspects of epidural anesthesia, Anesthesia

[20] Magalhães, DSF, Serra, RL, Vannucci, AL, Moreno, AB, and Li, LM. 2012, Glasses-Free 3D Viewing Systems for Medical Imaging, Optics and Laser Technology, 44(3), pp. 650-

[21] Coles, T. R, Meglan, D, and John, N. W. 2011, The Role of Haptics in Medical Training Simulators: A Survey of the State of the Art, IEEE Transactions on haptics, 4(1), pp. 51–

[22] Halvorsen, FH, Elle, OJ, and Fosse, E. 2005, Simulators in Surgery, Minimally Invasive

[23] Vaughan N, Dubey VN, Wee MYK, Isaacs R. Haptic interface on measured data for epidural simulation, ASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference DETC2012-

[24] Hiemenz, L, 2001, Force models for needle insertion created from measured needle

[25] Vaughan N, Dubey VN, Wee MYK, Isaacs R. Advanced Epidural Simulator with 3D Flexible Spine and Haptic Interface, DMD2012-6837, ASME Design of Medical Devices
