ProMIS™ Basic Skills Curriculum
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Real instruments, real haptics, valid metrics
Valid curriculum - including SAGES/ACS FLS Program
Range of Basic Skills and Procedures
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ProMIS ModulesWhile ProMIS can be used with a range of customized Tasks, including FLS, a range of Basic Skills Modules and procedures are available.
Basic Laparoscopic Skills
The ProMIS™ Basic Skills Curriculum is based on validated approaches to surgery and surgical training, and has been developed in collaboration with surgical advisors around the world.
Each Module is segmented into learnable, medically-relevant Tasks. Tasks may use virtual or physical models - depending on the learning needs. Whether physical or virtual, the user gets comprehensive feedback on their performance.
Module
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Description
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Laparoscope Orientation
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The user explores a virtual environment with a simulated Laparoscope. The aim is to follow the audio cues to find and hold steady on specified targets. The user has to deal with events such as fogging.
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Instrument Handling 1| Locating and Coordinating
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In a virtual environment, the user must touch and/or track a series of fixed and dyamic objects - while trying to avoid colliding with tissue. Audio cues and on-screen directions provide guidance.
Click here to see metrics screen >>>
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Instrument Handling 2| Object Positioning
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In a physical exercise, the user is asked to pick up a number of objects, transfer them from one hand to another and place them in a specified target area.
Metrics include automatic detection of `dropped' objects.
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Instrument Handling 3| Tissue Manipulation
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In a physical exercise, the user stretches simulated tissue from one marked point to another, learning to judge tissue strength and appropriate force.
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Dissection
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In this physical Task, the user is required to dissect a piece of tissue of specific shape and size.
Metrics include automatic measurement of the dissected `tissue'.
Click here to read SAGES paper on this >>>
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Suturing and Intracorporeal Knot-Tying
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Four physical Tasks - using real tissue and real sutures - train the user in needle handling, intracorporeal knot-tying and suturing.
Augmented reality graphics overlaid on the physical tissue, help guide the user; short videos provide step-by-step instructions.
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Having been validated for use with the SAGES/ACS Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) program, ProMIS now provides an FLS Module. Users simply insert FLS Tasks in ProMIS and get the standard ProMIS metrics and video recording on those Tasks. More >>>
Critical Tasks for Laparoscopic Surgery
ProMIS offers a series of tasks that replicate the critical elements of specific procedures. The range of tasks is being added to continuously, and currently includes:
 Nissen FundoplicationEctopic pregrancyAnastomosis for colorectal surgeryLapAppendectomyLapCholecystectomyProstatectomy |
 LapNissen
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 LapAppendectomy
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ProMIS LC allows a surgeon to perform a complete hand-assisted or fully laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy on a totally simulated model. Surgeons use the full range of real laparoscopic instruments to complete the procedure, interacting with a mix of virtual reality and physical models.
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About the ProMIS approach
Valid instructional approach
ProMIS' unique `hybrid' approach delivers the best and most validated method of skill-acquisition - and performs better than pure Virtual Reality: "Scores for ProMIS were significantly higher (than the VR Simulator) for overall realism, thread behavior, reflection of clinical ability, and overall educational value." (Fellinger, et al, P224)
ProMIS is the only simulator to use real instruments - with full degrees of freedom - and to include port placement and trocar use as part of the training. This also facilitates team training: ProMIS tracks up to three instruments at one time, including the model laparoscopic camera (ProMISCam™).
Valid Curriculum - including SAGES/ACS FLS Program
ProMIS is the only simulator that is validated for use with SAGES/ACS Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Program: "ProMIS FLS scores are excellent predictors of scores in the standard FLS simulator. (McCluney et al, P237)
Customizable to meet local needs
ProMIS is the only simulator that adapts to local curriculum needs: an `Open Module' provides metrics and video recording of any (appropriately-sized) physical task placed in ProMIS. Tasks designed locally can therefore be easily incorporated - thus also making ProMIS the primary choice for researchers and curriculum developers.
Standards for user performance may be set locally. Proficiency levels can be set for each Task and different `pass' rates can be set for different groups of users.
Administration and User Records
For administrators, ProMIS is easy to set up and maintain and has an outstanding track record in terms of robustness and consistent performance. User records are easily accessed and group performance reports are easily generated. A networked system is available that enables data from more than one ProMIS simulator to be gathered remotely on a single server.
ProMIS analyses performance by tracking instruments in 3-dimensional space. This patented technology is unique to ProMIS and enables real-time measurement of instruments in use.
All Tasks use scientifically validated metrics, including time taken, path length, and economy of movement.
Once a task is completed, the user is immediately presented with an analysis of their performance. Detailed metrics are given in summary, and for right and left hand as well as for each step of the Task. The user can also see a graphical playback that shows the exact track of their instruments during the Task. In physical Tasks, they may also view a video of their activity. More on Metrics >>>