Custom Simulations for Learning & Exploration

Student using the Anesthetic MRS. Ote the use of the cyber-glove which allows the student to see a virtual image of her left hand palpating the jaw. One research goal is to measure the extent which a physical jaw model and the reification of the hand contribute to immersion and presence in the virtual world.
©2008 Kami Hanson

Local Anesthetic Mixed-Reality System (MRS)

Learning to deliver an injection properly requires mastery of a 3D mental model of the anatomy coupled with the motor skills to make the injection effective while inflicting minimal pain on the patient. Historically, dental hygienists learn to anesthetize patients by practicing on each other and then advance to actual patients. Not only does this approach expose volunteers to the stresses of the procedure, but students receive very limited feedback on how effectively their injection delivered the anesthetic to the target site.

Kami Hanson, associate professor of dental hygiene at Weber State University in Utah, envisioned an augmented reality 3D simulation which would give a hands-on experience and reduce the need for practice on real patients. A virtual simulation also offered benefits to students through enhanced guidance and directed feedback. Professor Hanson’s concept was to create an injection simulator using a virtual skull where layers of tooth, gum, bone and nerve could be exposed, along with scaffolding guides and learning aids to support student learning. What made this project really unique was Professor Hanson’s idea to overlay the virtual head onto an actual physical model of a jaw which students could touch and refer to as they make their injection with an actual syringe mounted with a position sensor.

Anesthetic MRS enables students to view the virtual model at various levels of detail. Note the guide markings (yellow and pink) which can be shown or hidden to provide additional instruction and support.
©2008 Kami Hanson and Firsthand Technology

Professor Hanson knew the idea had merit, but she needed someone with the expertise to help her turn her concept into a working system. She turned to Firsthand to build the Anesthetic MRS.

“I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found Firsthand Technology Inc. through the Internet. I had been struggling for months working with open sourced applications of virtual reality rendering systems and was in dire need of some professional advice and direction. In one phone call I was hooked with these guys. They are intelligent, savvy and experienced and they communicate with me on my level (novice).

The team at Firsthand was able to listen to my vision for a virtual system, digest the specific information related to local anesthesia (ie: cranial anatomy, physiology and clinical application techniques) and translate that complex content into an interactive technologic virtual system. In addition, they were able to provide advice and direction on appropriate system design and educational application. As someone with a background in adult learning theory and instructional design, I was impressed with the level of professional judgments’ on VR design and development, good, sound educational recommendations and personal communications.

The mixed-reality system that was created with Firsthand has undergone pilot testing. The initial results were promising and we were able to identify some improvements that could be made to the system to increase user presence and decrease distractions. I talked with Firsthand about these outcomes and they were willing to troubleshoot problems and provide solutions for improvement. Working with Firsthand has been so productive and revolutionary that I have decided to continue to work with them as the mixed-reality project moves into its next phase of development.”

Kami Hanson

This case study offers an excellent example of Firsthand’s services, and our model for working with educators. Building successful simulations for education and training requires a well defined concept and planning, followed with the creative and technology expertise to turn them into reality.