Enhancing user presence in a chest tube simulator by Joining virtual reality with a mannequin

Tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion) is a common clinical procedure that all medical and nursing students must learn. In order to lower complication rates and improve patient safety, virtual reality (VR) training has been employed in medical education. Despite the capabilities of VR and haptic interfaces, most VR simulators offer a lesser sense of presence than mannequin-based models. To improve the user´s sense of presence in a VR simulator, this work combines VR with a mannequin to join a central point of physical interaction with a virtual 3-D environment. The human chest mannequin is integrated with two force feedback devices (SensAble OMNI), three haptic interfaces (pen, Kelly clamp, and finger constriction device), and a 3-D monitor. These elements are arranged to provide a greater degree of immersion as well as a more realistic user experience. By calibrating the angles of the mannequin and the 3-D monitor, the system aims to align the user´s physical and visual sensory perceptions. Shifting the simulator - along the VR to mannequin continuum of interaction - to a hybrid system may provide users with a greater degree of presence which can enhance learning and reduce procedural complications.