Output details

Empedocles

Empedocles is a unique combination of: PC software, custom designed mechanical hardware and haptic devices, that allows surgeons to train in laparoscopy. The software offers more realism, more functionality and more complex procedures than any alternative.

Empedocles was selected by the IET as a finalist for their prestigious international Innovations Awards (2011).

It is used by paediatric surgeons to investigate the potential of VR training, their findings have been reported at medical conferences; e.g. BAPES and ESPES (European Society for Paediatric Endoscopic Surgery.). Further information can be obtained from Mr. Alastiar Dick consultant surgeon with the Belfast Trust Hospitals and examiner for NIMTA and the Royal College of Surgeons. He has said “ Empedocles is a very powerful tool with the potential to be adaptable and widely available, due to its extremely low cost. The fact that it can be used to simulate complex procedures, such as Fundoplication with complex anatomical detail and collision forces, makes it a very exiting innovation, and gives it the potential to outstrip the mechanical training aids, still in wide use today. I am involved locally and nationally in developing the training for the next generation of surgeons, I believe that Empedocles has already demonstrated its potential (including, at the BAPS meetings, Belfast 2011) and would be widely welcomed in the surgical training community.”

Regulatory changes and changes in training practices make it imperative that surgeons in training can get extended access to high quality training tools and develop transferable skills to improve patient care and safety. There is a need to recognise that expenditure is cost effective and sustainable, this is precisely the function that Empedocles fulfills.

The software is optimized for maximum processor performance, with threads of execution performing key functions separately. Demonstrations of Empedocles may be found at http://www.ee.qub.ac.uk/empedocles/index.html