A new mixed-reality training tool could transform burn care treatment and reduce training costs for the NHS, following a collaboration between Buckinghamshire NHS Trust and medical design specialists Team Consulting.
The project aims to enhance how surgeons are trained in assessing and treating burns, offering a more effective and cost-efficient alternative to existing methods. The tool allows trainees to interact with a diverse range of burn types and patient profiles, potentially improving confidence and treatment outcomes.
Addressing training challenges
The initiative was led by Mr Stefan Hudson, Clinical Innovation Fellow, and Mr Ryan Kerstein, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Buckinghamshire NHS Trust. They identified limitations in the current training system, which relies on expensive medical mannequins created by prosthetic artists. These mannequins cost around £120,000 each and often feature generic characteristics that do not represent the wide range of patients surgeons encounter in real-life practice.
The lack of diversity in training materials can impact the confidence of surgeons, particularly when treating patients with varying skin tones, ages, and injury types. Hudson and Kerstein sought a solution that would provide more flexibility and realism while reducing the financial burden on the NHS.
A digital approach to training
Working with engineers and user experience specialists at Team Consulting, the NHS team explored the potential of mixed reality – combining physical and virtual environments to create more immersive training scenarios.
To gain first-hand insight into the current training process, Team Consulting’s engineers attended the NHS burn simulation course at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. This helped them understand the challenges faced by trainees and how technology could offer improvements.
The resulting concept is an application that uses computer vision to overlay digital burn simulations onto a real mannequin or even a live actor. A smartphone and virtual reality headset are all that is needed to generate high-fidelity burn injuries that match the shape and size of the limb being studied.
Surgeons can manipulate the training model without disrupting the digital overlays, providing an interactive and adaptable learning experience. The software also includes a customisable interface, allowing trainees to create unique scenarios tailored to different training needs. Additionally, a live-stream feature enables instructors to observe sessions and offer real-time feedback.
Innovation through collaboration
Thorbjorg Petursdottir, Consultant Electronics & Software Engineer at Team Consulting, described the project as a rewarding challenge.
“To achieve mixed reality in a burn simulation, we had to overcome several technical challenges. Our software team worked through iterative prototyping and testing, ensuring the system was both feasible and effective. Close collaboration with clinicians was crucial in creating an innovative solution that addresses real training needs.”
Mr Stefan Hudson echoed the sentiment, praising the collaborative nature of the project.
“Working with Team Consulting was fantastic. They were genuinely engaged in solving the problem, bringing innovative ideas throughout.”
Future developments
Although still in development, the mixed-reality tool has the potential to become a commercially available product. Buckinghamshire NHS Trust is exploring further refinements to expand its functionality, with the ultimate aim of enhancing training, improving patient outcomes, and significantly reducing costs for the NHS.
