The Haptic Cow Simulator

The Haptic Cow Simulator is a virtual reality based training tool for palpation of the bovine reproductive tract in order to perform pregnancy diagnosis and fertility examinations. This is a difficult procedure, so the students need lots of practice to develop adequately skills. The simulator uses haptic (touch feedback) technology and has a PHANToM haptic device positioned inside a fibreglass model of the rear-half of a cow.   During a training session, the student palpates computer-generated virtual objects representing the uterus, ovaries, pelvis and abdominal structures. The teacher can watch the student's actions on the computer screen and therefore provide instruction and feedback while following the student's hand movements inside the cow.  A teaching protocol has been developed for the simulator with several levels to support the progressive acquisition of skills. A large number of simulations have been created and these include representations of typical fertility cases, early and advanced pregnancies and examples of unusual and pathological conditions. Students can be trained to perform invasive procedures prior to examining real animals, which has benefits for animal welfare.

Comments & References: Suitable for undergraduate and more advanced veterinary students. Please see record numbers 5637, 5638 and 5892 for more information on three other haptic and protohaptic simulators. Please click here for more information on this project.

Price: Please contact supplier