Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis
is a surgical procedure performed to relieve fluid buildup between the heart
and the pericardium. This condition (cardiac tamponade) interferes with the
heart's ability to pump blood. Cardiac tamponade must be corrected rapidly,
or the patient may die. Initial treatment involves inserting a cannula between
the pericardium and heart, then aspirating the blood to relieve pressure buildup.
Due to the condition's urgency, there is insufficient time to use imaging techniques
such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound. The surgeon performs the procedure guided
by palpable anatomical landmarks, and experience.
We
have developed a computer-based simulator for this procedure. An early version
uses the Reality Sculptor™ hardware platform. The system measures cannula
insertion point, entry angle, and depth to determine if the procedure was performed
correctly. These parameters are changeable by the instructor. Later versions
used the lower cost CathSim™ AccuTouch™ vascular access device by
Immersion Medical.
Our
system is presently used as part of an Introduction to Surgery course for 3rd
year medical students. Our system was also used in an experimental Advanced
Trauma Life Support® course performed without animals or cadavers.
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Project members
(past and present) |
Alan Liu
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Publications |
"First
Steps in Eliminating the Need for Animals and Cadavers in Advanced Trauma Life
Support®", Christoph Kaufmann, Scott Zakaluzny, Alan Liu. Published
in Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI),
2000. (Abstract)
"An
architecture for simulating needle-based surgical procedures", Alan
Liu, Christoph Kaufmann, Daigo Tanaka. Accepted for publication in Medical
Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI), 2001. (Abstract)