Human performance in the task of port placement for biosensor use

Abstract

Background We conducted a study of participants' abilities to place a laparoscopic port for in vivo biosensor use. Biosensors have physical limitations that make port placement crucial to proper data collection. A new port placement algorithm enabled evaluation of port locations, using segmented patient data in a virtual environment. Methods Port placement scoring algorithms were integrated into an image-guided surgery system. Virtual test scenes were created to evaluate various scenarios encountered during biosensor use. Participants were scored based on their ability to choose a port location from which points of interest could be scanned with a biosensor. Participants' scores were also compared to those of a port placement algorithm. Results The port placement algorithm consistently outscored participants by 10–25%. Participants were inconsistent from trial to trial and from participant to participant. Conclusion Port placement for biosensor procedures could be improved through training or augmentation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.