Hybrid physical-virtual reality simulation for clinical training capable of providing feedback to a physical anatomic model

A system that simulates a nerve block procedure via a hybrid physical-virtual simulation, comprising:

• a physical model of an anatomic region, wherein the physical model is based at least in part on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the anatomic region;
• a virtual model of the anatomic region isomorphic to the physical model, wherein the virtual model is based at least in part on the MRI scan, and wherein a tissue type is associated with each location of the virtual model based at least in part on a determination of the tissue type from segmentation of the MRI scan;
• a tracking component that monitors a location and the orientation of a needle tip and a sham ultrasound probe relative to the physical model;
• a mechatronic component that generates one or more of haptic or visual feedback based at least in part on the location of the needle tip;
• a student application that displays a simulated ultrasound image based at least in part on the location and the orientation of the sham ultrasound probe;
• an instructor application that displays the tissue type associated with the location of the needle tip and a distance between the needle tip and a target nerve of the virtual model;
• and
• at least one clinical instrument comprises the needle tip and a neurostimulator, wherein the tracking component tracks the location of a tip of the needle tip, wherein a clinical instrument interface receives one or more signals from the neurostimulator, and wherein the anatomic feedback comprises a simulated muscle twitch response in the anatomic model based at least in part on the one or more signals from the neurostimulator and the tracked position of the needle tip relative to the location of nerves in the virtual model.

A mixed reality simulation system that facilitates training in a clinical procedure, comprising:

• a physical model of an anatomic region associated with the clinical procedure;
• a virtual model of the anatomic region that is isomorphic with the physical model, wherein the virtual model associates an anatomic structure and a tissue type with each location in the physical model;
• a tracking component that tracks at least one location of at least one clinical instrument relative to the physical model and maps the at least one location to the corresponding anatomic position in the virtual model;
• a physical anatomic feedback component that creates perceptible changes in one or more of the characteristics or behavior of the physical model based at least in part on the anatomic structure and tissue type associated with the at least one mapped location;
• and
• at least one clinical instrument comprising a needle and a neurostimulator, wherein the tracking component tracks the location of a tip of the needle, a clinical instrument interface receives one or more signals from the neurostimulator, and the anatomic feedback comprises a simulated muscle twitch response in the anatomic model based at least in part on the one or more signals from the neurostimulator and the tracked position of the tip of the needle relative to the location of nerves in the virtual model.