Neurosurgical Education in Virtual and Augmented Reality

The research programme consists of two main activities.

Main Activity 3 – VR Simulation: Training in Neurosurgical and Nursing Procedures in Virtual Reality

The aim of the activity is to develop and test methodologies and procedures for training in neurosurgical procedures and nursing care procedures using virtual reality, and subsequently to propose their practical use in education and professional training.

The surgical modules include the following procedures: ACIF, intracranial pressure (ICP) sensor placement, vertebroplasty, ACDF without plate fixation, carpal tunnel surgery, craniotomy, ventricular drainage, external decompression for LBI, evacuation of epidural and acute subdural haematomas, and burr-hole evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma.

The nursing modules include the following procedures: peripheral intravenous cannulation, female urinary catheterisation, male urinary catheterisation, application of a wrist splint to the upper limb, patient stabilisation in the emergency department, and patient preparation and transport to the intensive care unit (ICU) or operating theatre.

The activity will be implemented in individual stages with defined objectives, expected outputs, benefits and findings:

1. Selection of Appropriate Surgical and Nursing Procedures

Selection of appropriate neurosurgical and nursing procedures for development in VR.
Assessment of their suitability for use in VR simulation.

2. Preparation of Materials for VR Simulations

Acquisition and processing of materials related to the selected procedures.
Preparation of expert descriptions of individual procedures, including selected risk and non-standard situations.

3. Development of VR Simulations

Design of the user interface and simulation structure.
Ongoing consultation of the professional content with healthcare professionals.
Development and implementation of functional VR simulations.

4. Testing of VR Simulations

Verification of the functionality, usability and professional content of the simulations.
Collection and evaluation of feedback from healthcare professionals.

5. Revision and Optimisation

Incorporation of relevant feedback and optimisation of the developed simulations.
Verification of the implemented modifications.

6. Deployment of the Solution in a Cloud Environment

Design and implementation of the method for operating and managing the simulation programme in a cloud environment.
Configuration of basic functions for scenario management and evaluation of results.

7. Publication of Results and Intellectual Property

Processing and presentation of the results and findings obtained.
Assessment of options for protecting and further utilising the resulting know-how and software solution.

Main Activity 4 – VR Surgery: Training in Neurosurgical Procedures Using Augmented Reality (From 3D Models to Surgical Training)

The aim of the activity is to build on the development of educational VR modules and develop augmented reality (AR) applications that will primarily support brain and spinal surgery.

The AR software modules under development include the following neurosurgical procedures: L1 vertebral fracture, C2 vertebral fracture, and ventricular drainage.

The activity will be implemented in individual stages with defined objectives, expected outputs, benefits and findings:

1. Selection of an Appropriate Surgical Procedure

Selection and assessment of an appropriate neurosurgical procedure for use in AR.
Design of a method for integrating the navigation system with the AR simulation.

2. Preparation of Materials for Converting the Surgical Procedure into AR

Acquisition and processing of visual, video and expert materials.
Preparation of a description of the surgical procedure, including selected risk and non-standard situations.

3. Development of a Functional AR Simulation

Design of the simulation structure and user interface.
Consultation of the professional content with physicians.
Creation and implementation of 3D anatomical models for the AR simulation of the selected surgical procedure.
Development and implementation of a functional version of the AR simulation.

4. Testing of the AR Simulation

Verification of the functionality of the AR simulation and its integration with the navigation system.
Expert validation of the simulation by physicians and collection of feedback.

5. Revision and Optimisation

Evaluation of feedback and modification of the AR simulation.
Verification of the implemented modifications.

6. Deployment of the Simulation Programme in a Cloud Environment

Design and implementation of the basic method for managing and operating the simulation programme.
Integration of the solution into a cloud environment.
Configuration of basic functions for managing, assigning and evaluating simulations.

7. Publication of Results and Intellectual Property Management

Processing and presentation of the results and findings obtained.
Assessment of options for protecting and further utilising the resulting know-how and software solution.

Cooperation with Partner Organisations

To facilitate the practical applicability of the research, the following partner organisations are involved in the experimental research (with no profit generation for the cooperating organisations):

Krajská nemocnice T. Bati, a. s.
Medical Monitor, a. s.
Vexim s. r. o.

Updated: 02. 09. 2026