Physics-based burr haptic simulation: tuning and evaluation

In this paper we provide a preliminary report on our work on the tuning of a temporal bone surgical simulator using parameter values derived from experimental measurements, and on the comparison between these results and the previously used "domain expert" assigned values. Our preliminary results indicate that the parameter values defined by the domain-experts are consistent with the experimentally derived values. Psychophysical testing indicates that the simulator is capable of rendering the basic material differences required for bone burring work and that some trained users preferentially associate a simulated temporal bone resin model with its real counterpart.