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Colon simulator reduces cancer

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Researchers at CSIRO have developed a simulator to help reduce the incidence of bowel cancer, one of the most common cancers in Australia.

According to Dr Trevor Lockett, CSIRO Preventative Health Flagship scientist, the colonoscopy simulator they have created will enable trainee surgeons to interact with accurate computer-based simulations of the human colon using a modified clinical colonoscope and realistic haptic (force) feedback device.

Josh Passenger, CSIRO project leader, said the simulator provides photo-realistic rendering using OpenGL - a 2D/3D graphics Application Progamming Interface (API) - and high-fidelity physics simulations.

‘We are currently developing a system that can produce realistic, randomised colons so that surgeons can be prepared for a wide variety of colonic anatomies,’ said Passenger

The device was developed in collaboration with Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland and has been licensed to the Swedish company Surgical Science, which develops medical training tools using ‘virtual’ technologies.

The simulator has been developed by the Preventative Health Flagship in conjunction with the Australian e-Health Research Centre - a joint venture between CSIRO and the Queensland Government.

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