Simulation in Robotic Surgery: a Comparative Review of Simulators of the Da Vinci Surgical Robot

For every complex and expensive system, there emerges a need for training devices and scenarios that will assist new learners in mastering the use of the device and understanding how to apply it with value. This has proven to be true in aviation, nuclear power control, and medicine among other fields. Laparoscopic surgery simulators have played a valuable role in improving the practice of surgery over the last 20 years and the same trends and values will likely apply in robotic surgery. The complexity, criticality, and cost associated with the effective application of the da Vinci surgical robot have stimulated the commercial creation of simulators which replicate the operations of this robot. Each of these simulators provides a slightly different perspective and solution to the problem. This book explores the characteristics and differences between all of the currently available devices. The details provided here are structured to equip readers with sufficient knowledge about the simulators to make their own decisions about which best meets their needs. Each of them possesses unique traits which make them valuable solutions for different types of users. It is not our intent to make a universal recommendation of one device over the others. Readers should draw their own conclusions based on their unique needs for a device. The three current simulation devices for the da Vinci robot are the: 

• da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical Inc.), 
• dV-Trainer (Mimic Technologies Inc.) and 
• Robotic Surgery Simulator (Simulated Surgical Systems LLC). 

 The three simulators which are described in this book offer a different value proposition to potential purchasers and to novice learners. The da Vinci Skills Simulator, dV-Trainer, an RoSS are complex systems which are significantly less costly than the actual da Vinci robotic surgical system and can be operated at a fraction of the cost of the instruments required for this robot. The intent of this book is to present the characteristics of each system to enable intelligent and informed purchasing and usage decisions.