VR Coronary Artery Training

Closed Human-Computer Interaction Games Engineering Bachelor Master Project Thesis Games Research Lab

Background

Knowledge about the coronary anatomy is an essential part of the training program in interventional cardiology. This expertise is traditionally trained in face-to face meetings by demonstrating 2D angiographic images. However, many trainees struggle to categorize these images, as it is difficult to derive the necessary three-dimensional understanding from the 2D angiographic images.

VR could be of help in this context. In a virtual training environment a real trainer can explain the anatomy of the coronary arteries by moving, rotating, scaling etc. a 3d model of these vessels. The view of the teacher will be broadcasted to the participants’ headsets, audio will be transmitted as well (all remote).

This project involves implementing the basic functions of the virtual training environment (only 1:1 in the same room) and dynamically importing different 3d models. To investigate the effectiveness of the training, there are 2 possible approaches:

1. Survey & Evaluation: In cooperation with interventional cardiologists from the German society of cardiology a questionnaire and survey have to be prepared and conducted, comparing the traditional training method to the VR experience.
2. Gamification: Different play modes have to be implemented, to check the participants’ knowledge after a training session, e.g. a quest-like mode, a competitive mode, re-enactment of the taught sequence …

Tasks

1. Design and implement a simple VR learning environment with broadcasting for 1 teacher and 1 trainee in the same room
2. Embed different 3d models of the coronary arteries (.stl)
3. Evaluation possibilities:
   • Survey: Design a questionnaire in cooperation with the experts comparing the effectiveness of traditional and VR training
   • Gamification: Design, implement and compare different game modes (Sounds, highlights, competitive game e.g. as Couch Coop, memory game e.g. remember the taught sequence…)

Cooperation

This project is in cooperation with the university’s INTUS clinic.

Contact Persons at the University Würzburg