Thanks to technological advances, the gesture of the puncture of large articulations has greatly evolved over the past decade with the use of an ultrasound probe. Thus, guided by the ultrasound image (which is plotted on a screen) and the tactile feeling, the operator adjusts his gesture during the insertion of the needle to reach the articulation. The main difficulty thus lies in the simultaneous handling of two instruments: a hand is used for the ultrasound probe and the other for the needle with possible changes from one hand to the other during the gesture.
In this context, our project aims to create a training simulator for the gesture of the puncture of large articulations guided by ultrasound, whose objective is to facilitate the learning of this gesture without risk to the patient. This simulator will combine a numerical simulation and a haptic device. For the design of this simulator, a study of the targeted activity will be conducted upstream to analyze and understand the learning of real gesture, and thus define the necessary elements of the simulator according to the numerical simulation and the haptic device. It will also offer various relevant scenarios
for training and will assess the level of realism required for learning.
This innovative simulator will thus permit to treat indifferently several types of articulation and various pathologies. It may also allow ultimately the search for an optimal mechanical solution of conduct of the puncture needle. This will avoid so the use of anthropomorphic manikins, thanks to an immersive augmented reality environment.