A virtual reality simulator combining a learning environment and clinical case database for image-guided prostate biopsy

The recent availability of navigation systems for mapping and targeting of transrectal ultrasound (TRUSS) guided prostate biopsies revealed new opportunities in training the clinician. This paper describes a simulator for TRUSS guided prostate biopsy that offers similar information, enhanced by a complete learning environment. Various exercises have been developed in accordance with a didactical study identifying the training needs. A dedicated clinical case database fed by a prostate navigation system provides a large patient prostate image database that covers the main situations encountered during clinical practice. A haptic device is used to enable complete biopsy procedures or practice specific tasks. This paper also presents work in progress of the evaluation of such a simulator.