ENISS: An epidural needle insertion simulation system

To aid the training of anesthesiologists in the administering of epidural injections, a system was developed to characterize tactile feedback encountered during insertion and withdrawal of epidural needles. The system includes a platform upon which a sample is affixed, an epidural needle mounted to a pressure transducer by means of a Luer lock fitting, a stepper motor and screw drive to advance and retract the needle and a Lab-View based controller that inserts and withdraws the needle while monitoring the force on the pressure transducer. The system was tested on four media; free air, a medium-soft cheese, an apple, and a raw potato in order to demonstrate measurable differences in static and dynamic force across these samples. Test results indeed indicated clear and statistically significant differences between forces across all four media, and between insertion and withdrawal forces in all media except for free air.