3D Real Time Surgical Simulator

The purpose of this program of research was the development of a high performance Multiplanar Volumetric 3D Display MVD to serve as the primary information display for an Advanced Volumetric Surgical Simulator AVSS. The future AVSS will combine together a Multiplanar Volumetric Display with a pair of force feedback haptic interfaces to form a general purpose tactile task simulation platform upon which to run a wide range of surgical simulation software. The MVD is a true 3D display which produces full color, images having all of the visual attributes of real objects. This research effort was successful in nearly all of its goals which included development of new display materials, extension of the compatible computer platforms, improvement to the programming interface, and development of a custom high speed video projector. Minor shortfalls in performance of a key component of the video projector mandate that an additional prototype generation will be required before commercialization of the MVD technology can take place. This final generation has been funded through internal funds and is nearing completion as of the date of this report. Commercialization of the MVD technology will allow the development of the AVSS as well as many other military and civilian 3D display applications.