WO2023129016A2

WO2023129016A2 - A model-assisted education system for episiotomy application and repair

Info

Publication number: WO2023129016A2
Application number: PCT/TR2022/051317
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zekiye TURAN; Guluzar CIT; Serefraz AKYAMAN
Original assignee: Sakarya Universitesi Rektorlugu
Priority date: 2021-12-31
Filing date: 2022-11-18
Publication date: 2023-07-06
Also published as: WO2023129016A3; TR2021022181A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a model-assisted education system (10) to allow students studying in medical faculties and midwifery departments to learn episiotomy application and repair by applying it to the image of a woman giving birth (1212) in a virtual environment before it is applied in real life. Accordingly, it is characterized in that it comprises an episiotomy application model (11) placed in a predetermined position, a virtual reality glass (12) to create a virtual image (121 ) to allow the operations performed by a practitioner (14) on the said episiotomy application model (11) to be performed in a virtual environment; at least one detector unit (13) to detect the motions of the said practitioner (14); the main control unit (15) to receive data from the said detector unit (13); wherein the said main control unit (15) is configured to detect the operations performed by the user on the episiotomy application model (11) via the detector unit (13), create the said virtual image (121) reflected from the virtual reality glass (12), and to provide the corresponding motion of the operations in the image reflected from the virtual reality glass (12) and the images made in the real environment.

Description

A MODEL-ASSISTED EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR EPISIOTOMY APPLICATION AND REPAIR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a model-assisted education system configured to enable students studying in medical faculties and midwifery departments to learn episiotomy application and repair by applying it to an image of a woman giving birth created virtually in a virtual environment before it is applied in real life.

BACKGROUND

Episiotomy is a surgical incision made to the perineum region during birth before the baby's head pops out to ensure that the vaginal opening grows and facilitates delivery. As the baby's head passes through the birth canal, the perineum can be torn as it is overstretched. To prevent tearing in these regions, a slot is opened from the vagina to the rectum during birth. This is called a cleft episiotomy. This incision is made by the person who will give birth with special scissors following local anesthesia. This incision includes the skin, subcutaneous tissue, supportive tissues of the region, and the muscles at the entrance to the vagina. Episiotomy cleft is performed in the form of midline or by cutting from the side towards the rectum. When the baby is born, the said cleft is closed with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed after healing. Episiotomy is performed to prevent tears that may occur during birth and sometimes to accelerate labor at this last stage. Episiotomy can be applied to the majority of women who will give birth for the first time. If it is the second or third birth of the mother, the incision is applied in 50% of births.

Episiotomy is a beneficial procedure as it prevents possible tears during labor because the repair of the tears in the birth canal can sometimes be much more difficult than the repair of the episiotomy. Because suturing a cut tissue is more manageable than repairing a torn tissue by stretching. In addition, since episiotomy is performed from the region that will be the least harmful, it creates a much more advantageous situation than the tears that occur in an area we do not want at all. Episiotomy can be performed on the midline (median) or sideways (mediolateral) according to the patient's condition. Since episiotomy accelerates the last part of birth, it also reduces the pressure on the large intestine and urinary bladder during this period. It reduces the possibility of sagging in these parts after birth.

Where the episiotomy will be performed or whether it will be performed is a decision made at the last moment by the person having the delivery. The idea of opening an episiotomy at all first births is not correct. The decision of whether or not to perform an episiotomy is a decision that should be made by the person who will perform the delivery as a result of a purely mechanical need. Episiotomy is performed in 3 ways as median, lateral and mediolateral. However, mediolateral or median episiotomy is mostly performed in practice. The repair technique is as essential as the application of the episiotomy incision. Today, in episiotomy application education sessions, students are provided with methods far from an actual application. These methods are the methods that can only teach the students the suturing technique. Students are taught repair techniques with the help of medical suture needles and tools of the incision made ready in the models. Unlike this, chicken meat (thigh part) or veal tongue is sometimes used for these procedures to teach better suturing to living tissue. With these techniques, students cannot reach the reality of episiotomy repair in the postpartum period and have the chance to gain hand practice only in terms of suturing technique. However, in the postpartum period, in an environment where bleeding is present, it is not as simple as in the model to see the beginning and ending places of the incision/to distinguish between the incision and intrauterine bleeding. In addition, a woman who has given birth cannot have real experiences such as yelling, the possibility of moving during an episiotomy or having different reactions. Therefore, students cannot fully predict the situation that should be episiotomized in real life. In addition, the inability to apply the technique correctly during the procedure may cause unwanted tears in the person giving birth. This situation negatively affects the health of the person, as well as making it difficult for the child to come out of the womb; it can be lifethreatening for both the mother and the child. Birth is an important procedure that requires seriousness. For this reason, the person giving birth should have received the education correctly and be able to perform the application methods in light of the problems that may occur in real life.

All the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to innovate in the relevant technical field as a result. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a model-assisted education system to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to bring new advantages to the related technical field.

An object of the invention is to provide a model-assisted education system to enable students studying medicine or midwifery to learn the correct episiotomy opening technique and repair during birth.

Another object of the invention is to provide a model-assisted education system that provides students with the feeling that they are performing an episiotomy procedure on a woman giving birth in real life.

To achieve all the objects that will emerge from the abovementioned and the following detailed description, the present invention is a model-assisted education system to allow students studying in medical faculties and midwifery departments to learn episiotomy application and repair by applying it to the image of a woman giving birth in a virtual environment before it is applied in real life. Accordingly, it comprises an episiotomy application model placed in a predetermined position, a virtual reality glass to create a virtual image to allow the operations performed by a practitioner on the said episiotomy application model to be performed in a virtual environment; at least one detector unit to detect the motions of the said practitioner; the main control unit to receive data from the said detector unit; wherein the said main control unit is configured to detect the operations performed by the user on the episiotomy application model via the detector unit, create the said virtual image reflected from the virtual reality glass, and to provide the corresponding motion of the operations in the image reflected from the virtual reality glass and the images made in the real environment. Thus, with the virtual image projected through the virtual reality glass, the practitioner can feel that they are performing an episiotomy procedure on a woman giving birth in real life. This situation helps the practitioner to gain experience for the episiotomy to be performed in real life.

A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the episiotomy application model comprises an episiotomy application region.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said episiotomy application region is provided in an interchangeable structure. Thus, it is ensured that multiple users can perform operations on the same episiotomy application model. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one capacitive sensor provided to the episiotomy application model. Thus, the user's hand motions are detected. This ensures that the applications applied to a woman overlap with virtual applications. Therefore, it is ensured that an education close to the truth is provided.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one strip resistance provided to the episiotomy application model. Thus, a sense of blood flowing from the uterus is created during delivery to the practitioner.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one motion sensor provided to the episiotomy application model. Thus, it is ensured that the hand motions of the practitioner are perceived.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one motion provider provided to the episiotomy application model. Thus, it is ensured that a motion equivalent to the movements of the woman during birth is created. This makes the student feel as if she is at birth.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a processor unit configured to enable the actuation of the motion provider and the strip resistance according to the data received from the capacitive sensor from the motion sensor provided to the episiotomy application model.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said processor unit is configured to ensure that the operations performed on the episiotomy model are detected and transmitted to the main control unit.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a user interface enabling the display of the virtual environment created in the virtual reality glass. Thus, it is ensured that other users in the environment or the distance can see the action taken by the practitioner.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a communication unit for data exchange between the virtual reality glass and the user interface. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said virtual image comprises a model of a woman giving birth and a virtual episiotomy application region to be applied to the said model of a woman giving birth.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the virtual image comprises virtual practitioner hands expressing the hands of the practitioner, the said virtual practitioner hands being configured to provide simultaneous motion with the real hand of the practitioner. Thus, it is ensured that each procedure performed by the practitioner in the female childbirth figure in the virtual image is applied to the episiotomy application model at the same time.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the virtual image comprises a virtual equipment table, which includes the virtual medical equipment necessary to perform an episiotomy.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the virtual image comprises at least one light source to enable image settings to be made.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensing unit comprises at least one motion detector. Thus, the movements of the practitioner are determined in the real environment.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sensing unit comprises at least one image detector. This ensures that the practitioner is displayed in the real environment.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises an energy source to meet the energy need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a representative view of a model-assisted education system in the real environment.

Figure 2 shows a representative front and side view of the episiotomy application model of a model-assisted education system. Figure 3 shows a representative view of the virtual image that appears in the virtual reality glasses of a model-assisted education system.

Figure 4 shows a representative view of the working scenario of a model-assisted education system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is explained with examples that do not have any limiting effect only for a better understanding of the subject.

The invention relates to a model-assisted education system (10) configured to enable students studying in medical faculties and midwifery departments to learn by applying episiotomy application and repair on a woman giving birth (1212) in a virtual environment before applying it in real life.

The said model-assisted education system (10) is placed in a room-like environment, as shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 2, an episiotomy application model (11 ) is placed on a tablelike mechanism in the said environment to be applied as an episiotomy procedure. The said episiotomy application model (1 1 ) includes an episiotomy application region (1 1 1 ). The said episiotomy application region (1 11 ) is provided interchangeably. The episiotomy application model (1 1 ) includes a bottom cover to ensure the model is placed flat on a flat surface. The episiotomy application model (11 ) includes at least one motion provider (1 13). The motion provider (1 13) enables the woman to create a response motion against the episiotomy procedure during labor. It is ensured that at least one vibration motor is used as the said motion provider (1 13) in a possible embodiment of the invention. Thus, it is ensured that the practitioner (15) senses the vibrations and performs the episiotomy procedure precisely. In addition, episiotomy is performed in line with the response motions of an actual patient. The episiotomy application model (11 ) further includes a capacitive sensor (1 12) provided to detect the movement of the practitioner (14). The said capacitive sensor (1 12) determines the position of the hands of the practitioner (141 ) on the episiotomy application region (11 1 ). The episiotomy application model (1 1 ) comprises a strip resistance (1 14). The episiotomy application model (11 ) includes at least one motion sensor (1 15). There is a processor unit (116) for receiving data from the sensors on the episiotomy application model (11 ). The said processor unit (116) operates the motion provider (1 13) according to data received from the sensors. The said processor unit (116) operates the strip resistance (1 14) according to the data received from the sensors. The strip resistance (1 14) is operated to represent the blood flowing from the region. The processor unit (116) enables the actuation of the motion provider (113) and/or the strip resistance (1 14) according to the measurement data obtained from the hand motions of the practitioner (141 ). The processor unit (1 16) enables the transfer of the collected data and the performed operations to the main control unit (15). There is a communication unit (16) configured to provide data exchange between the processor unit (116) and the main control unit (15). In a possible embodiment of the invention, the said communication unit (16) is provided to provide wired and/or wireless communication.

There is at least one detector unit (13) for detecting the movements of the practitioner (14) provided in the medium, referring to Figure 1. The detector unit (13) comprises at least one image detector (132) for detecting the hand motions of the practitioner (14). In a possible embodiment of the invention, at least one camera is used as the said image detector (132). The detector unit (13) further comprises at least one motion detector (131 ) for detecting the hand motions of the practitioner (14). In a possible embodiment of the invention, at least one motion sensor (1 15) is used as the said motion detector (131 ).

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the main control unit (15) is configured to receive the data measured by the detector unit (13). The practitioner (14) performs the episiotomy procedure on the said episiotomy application region (1 11 ). There is a virtual reality glass (12) that allows a virtual image (121 ) to be reflected to the practitioner (14) in a way that the said practitioner (14) performs the operations on the episiotomy application model (11 ) on a woman giving birth (1212) created in a virtual environment. The said virtual reality glass (12) enables the operations performed by the practitioner (15) on the episiotomy application model (1 1 ) to be performed in a virtual environment. The practitioner (14) sees the episiotomy application model (11 ) as a model of a woman giving birth (1212) when she wears the virtual reality glass (12). The episiotomy application region (1 11 ) is paired with the episiotomy region to indicate the woman's cervix. Thus, the practitioner (14) feels as if she is performing an episiotomy on the woman giving birth (1212) in a virtual environment. The virtual medium further includes a virtual light source (1213) for enabling the light settings of the medium to be made. The virtual environment further comprises the hands of the virtual practitioner (1214) representing the hands of the practitioner (141 ). The said hands of the virtual practitioner (1214) act simultaneously with the operations performed by the practitioner (14) in the real environment. The virtual environment also includes a virtual equipment table (1215), similar to the equipment table (16) in the real environment. Multiple virtual medical equipment (1216) is placed on the said virtual equipment table (1215). Some of the said virtual medical equipment (1216) may be scissors, needles, injectors, yarns, etc. The image of which equipment the practitioner (14) uses is shown. The virtual environment that the practitioner (14) displays with the virtual reality glass (12) is displayed on a user interface (17). The user interface (17) may be a mobile application provided to a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, etc., provided in the real environment. In a possible embodiment of the invention, a digital display provided in the room is used as the user interface (17). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the user interface (17) may be a mobile application provided to a smartphone. It can be ensured that the transactions made through the said mobile application are remotely controlled. The main control unit (15) enables the images projected in the virtual reality glass (12) to be displayed in the user interface (17). Data exchange between the user interface (17) and the main control unit (15) is provided via the communication unit (16). There is a memory unit that stores the data associated with the main control unit (15) to ensure that the operations performed are viewed later. The said memory unit enables the subsequent control of the operations performed by the practitioner (14). There is at least one energy source (18) provided to meet the model-assisted education system's energy needs (10). In a possible embodiment of the invention, a plurality of batteries are used as the said energy source (18). In a possible embodiment of the invention, it may be a mains-connected electrical plug as an energy source (18).

An exemplary operating scenario of the invention is described below;

A practitioner (14) is provided to wear the virtual reality glass (12). The episiotomy application model (11 ) positioned on a table in a real environment is displayed as a woman giving birth (1212) in virtual reality glass (12). The episiotomy application region (1 11 ) on the real environment episiotomy application model (1 1 ) is displayed as the region to be applied to the woman giving birth (1212) in the virtual environment. The practitioner (14) can see the hands of a virtual practitioner (1214) in the virtual environment. Just as they can move their hands in the real environment, the hands move simultaneously in the virtual environment. It is ensured that the practitioner (14) gets closer to the episiotomy application model (1 1 ) in the real environment and the woman giving birth (1212) in the virtual environment. The practitioner (14) ensures that the virtual scissors are taken from the virtual equipment table (1215) provided around the table. With the scissors taken, it is ensured that the woman performs an episiotomy during birth in a virtual environment. In the real environment, episiotomy procedures are performed on the episiotomy application model (11 ). The practitioner (14) enables the episiotomy application region (1 11 ) to be cut with scissors. Data is read from the capacitive sensor (1 12) during cutting via the processor unit (1 16). In addition, the processor unit (116) allows data to be received from the motion detector (131 ). It enables the vibratory motor to be started according to the received data. In addition, the strip resistance (1 14) is operated. Thus, as in real life during the episiotomy procedure, the woman’s motions during birth are partially defined. For example, by running the vibration sensor, the feeling of the woman giving birth (1212) is created and shown in the virtual image (121 ). By operating the strip resistance (1 14), it is ensured that the woman giving birth (1212) sheds blood. Thus, it is ensured that the practitioner (14) is prepared and learns to perform episiotomy against situations that may occur in real life. The practitioner (14) is required to suture the region they cut with virtual scissors after a while. In this case, the practitioner (14) enables the virtual suturing of the area cut with the needle and suture yarn on the virtual equipment table (1215). During these operations, the processor unit (1 16) instantly collects data from the sensors. The collected data ensures that the vibration motor and resistance are operated for the female figure in the virtual environment to create a reaction. Thus, the practitioner (14) performs the episiotomy procedure on the episiotomy application model (11 1 ) as if it were in the real environment. The processor unit (116) allows the collected data to be instantly transferred to the main control unit (15). Data exchange between the processor unit (116) and the main control unit (15) is provided through the communication unit (16). The main control unit (15) is configured to be associated with the virtual reality glass (12). The main control unit (15) enables the practitioner’s movement (14) to be detected through detectors provided to the environment. The main control unit (15) transforms the perceived motions into the virtual environment with the virtual reality glass (12). The main control unit (15) also allows the virtual image (121 ) projected into the virtual reality glass (12) of the practitioner (14) to be instantly displayed in the user interface (17). Data exchange between the main control unit (15) and the user interface (17) is provided through the communication unit (16). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, images are instantly transferred to a remote server. A user interface (17) connected to the server ensures that a remote person can instantly view the episiotomy procedure performed by the practitioner (14). The main control unit (15) allows the data to be stored in a memory unit instantly. Thus, data can be accessed later.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is ensured that a student studying in a medical faculty and midwifery department is in the environment of the episiotomy application model (11 ) to learn the episiotomy application procedure in practice. After the student enters the environment, it is ensured that they first wear the virtual reality glass. When students wear the virtual reality glass (12), they see that they are in a virtual environment. There is a female figure giving birth on the table where the episiotomy application model (1 1 ) is located in the virtual environment. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it can be ensured that the woman can revive her voice at birth through a loudspeaker. The speaker is operated by the main control unit (15). The intensity of the sound is increased or decreased according to the data received from the sensors. For example, it is ensured to increase the sound volume during the procedure. In this case, the student may feel they are performing the episiotomy procedure in real life. The motion sensor (1 15) and cameras provided in the room monitor the student's motions. The main control unit (15) enables the instant processing of the data received from the motion provider (1 13) and the cameras, allowing the motions of the student in the real environment to take place simultaneously in the virtual environment. The student feels the movement of the woman whose pain is exacerbated by the vibration motor placed in the episiotomy application model (1 1 ). The student feels the sensation of blood flow with the heating of the strip resistance (1 14). The student ensures that the region to be episiotomized is cut with the scissors on the virtual equipment table. As a result of the cutting process, it enables the area to be sutured with a virtual needle and yarn. Every transaction made by the student is recorded. The recorded images are instantly reflected on a screen in the environment. Thus, other people in the environment can both see the real environment and ensure that the image formed in the virtual glasses of the student is visible. The main control unit (15) allows the data to be instantly transferred to a remote server. A remote user connected to the server can access the data immediately.

The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the attached claims and cannot be limited to those explained for sampling purposes in this detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art may exhibit similar embodiments in light of the facts mentioned above without drifting apart from the main theme of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE FIGURE

10 Model-assisted education system

1 1 Episiotomy application model

1 11 Episiotomy application region

1 12 Capacitive sensor

1 13 Motion provider

1 14 Strip resistance

1 15 Motion sensor

1 16 Processor unit

12 Virtual reality glass

121 Virtual image

121 1 Virtual episiotomy application region

1212 Woman giving birth

1213 Virtual light source

1214 Hands of virtual practitioner

1215 Virtual equipment table

1216 Virtual medical equipment

13 Detector unit

131 Motion detector

132 Image detector

14 Practitioner

141 Hands of practitioner

15 Main control unit

16 Communication unit

17 User interface

18 Energy source

Claims

1. A model-assisted education system (10) to allow students studying in medical faculties and midwifery departments to learn episiotomy application and repair by applying it on the image of a woman giving birth (1212) in a virtual environment before it is applied in real life, characterized in that it comprises an episiotomy application model (1 1) placed in a predetermined position, a virtual reality glass (12) to create a virtual image (121 ) to allow the operations performed by an practitioner (14) on the said episiotomy application model (1 1 ) to be performed in a virtual environment; at least one detector unit (13) to detect the motions of the said practitioner (14); a main control unit (15) to receive data from the said detector unit (13); wherein the said main control unit (15) is configured to detect the operations performed by the user on the episiotomy application model (11 ) via the detector unit (13), create the said virtual image (121 ) reflected from the virtual reality glass (12), and to provide the corresponding motion of the operations in the image reflected from the virtual reality glass (12) and the images made in real environment.

2. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the episiotomy application model (11 ) comprises an episiotomy application region (11 1 ).

3. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said episiotomy application region (1 11 ) is provided in an interchangeable structure.

4. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one capacitive sensor (112) provided to the episiotomy application model (11 ).

5. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one strip resistance (114) provided to the episiotomy application model (11 ).

6. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one motion sensor (1 15) provided to the episiotomy application model (11 ).

7. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one motion provider (1 13) provided to the episiotomy application model (11 ).

8. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a processor unit (1 16) configured to operate the motion provider (113) and the strip resistance (114) according to the data received from the said motion sensor (115) and the capacitive sensor (112) provided to the episiotomy application model (11 ).

9. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said processor unit (116) is configured to detect the operations performed on the episiotomy application model (11 ), thus transmitting them to the main control unit (15).

10. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a user interface (17) to display the virtual environment created in the virtual reality glass (12).

11. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a communication unit (16) to provide data exchange between the virtual reality glass (12) and the user interface (17).

12. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said virtual image (121 ) includes a model of woman giving birth (1212) and a virtual episiotomy application region (1211 ) to apply episiotomy on the said model of woman giving birth (1212).

13. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the virtual image (121 ) comprises the hands of the virtual practitioner (1214) expressing the hands of the practitioner (141 ), the said hands of the virtual practitioner (1214) being configured to provide corresponding motion (113) with the real hand of the practitioner (14).

14. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the virtual image (121 ) comprises a virtual equipment table (1215), the said virtual equipment table (1215) comprising the virtual medical equipment (1216) required to perform an episiotomy.

15. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the virtual image (121) comprises at least one virtual light source (1213) to make the image settings.

16. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detector unit (13) comprises at least one motion detector (131).

17. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detector unit (13) comprises at least one image detector (132).

18. A model-assisted education system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an energy source (18) to meet the energy needs.

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