Haptic reproduction and interactive visualization of a beating heart for cardiovascular surgery simulation

This paper aims to achieve haptic reproduction and real-time visualization of a beating heart for cardiac surgery simulation. Unlike most forgoing approaches, the authors focus on time series datasets and propose a new framework for interactive simulation of active tissues. The framework handles both detection and response of collisions between a manipulator and a beating virtual heart. Physics-based force feedback of autonomous cardiac motion is also produced based on a stress-pressure model, which is adapted to elastic objects filled with fluid. Time series datasets of an adult man were applied to an integrated simulation system with a force feedback device. The system displays multidimensional representation of a beating heart and provides a basic training environment for surgical palpation. Finally, results of measurement and medical assessment confirm the achieved quality and performance of the presented framework. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.