SMMARTS-SDK

SMMARTS-SDK provides an SDK within the Unity Technologies Unity 3D engine to develop modular mixed- and augmented-reality procedural and interventional simulators for medical training.

Key Features:

• Modular Design: Mechanical indexing (registration) via a modular stand that aligns with anatomical blocks for procedure-specific alignment.
• Unity 3D Integration: Operates as an SDK integrated with the Unity Technologies Unity 3D game engine for runtime and development.
• Hardware Integration: Supports tracked tools (needles, ultrasound probes), Arduino microcontrollers, and NDI 6-degrees-of-freedom tracking systems for hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
• Simulation Tools: Provides a replayer, 3D visualization of virtual counterparts to physical elements, scoring monitors, cognitive aids, and common error messaging for analysis of simulated procedures.
• Experience API Compatibility: Implements Experience API (xAPI) compatibility for learning record capture and analysis.

Scientific Applications:

• Instructor-less central venous access: Development and evaluation of instructor-less central venous access simulators for procedural training.
• Prostate biopsy: Development of prostate biopsy simulators for interventional training and assessment.
• Intravenous access: Development of intravenous access simulators to practice vascular access techniques.
• Procedural and interventional simulation: Creation of diverse mixed- and augmented-reality simulators across medical specialties for procedural skill training.

Methodology:

Uses a Unity 3D SDK runtime with mechanical registration via modular stands, integrates NDI 6-DOF tracking and Arduino hardware, and employs a replayer, 3D visualization, scoring monitors, cognitive aids, and Experience API (xAPI) for simulation data capture.