Geburtensimulator mit multimodaler interaktion

This paper presents an elementary overview of the potential of Multimodal Virtual Reality (MVR) techniques in medical education, e. g. obstetrics. The study shows how to transfer the concept of MVR from a time-independent environment, e. g. the Munich Knee Joint Simulator, to a time-critical simulation environment as it can be found in flight simulators. The simulator consists of a haptic, a graphical and an acoustic user interface, which are connected to a biomechanical model for the birth process itself and a physiological model of both mother and child, in order to simulate, e. g. a cardiotocograph (CTG). The user can just watch an uncomplicated birth or even learn the treatment during the delivery with the most relevant medication or forceps/vacuum-extraction. During this practical training the trainee is being assisted by the MVR feedback system which exposes his errors and allows him to learn faster without endangering a real patient nor the fetus. For the first time, this concept allows to transfer stored haptical expert-knowledge to the trainee.