Simulating Obstetric Forceps Delivery in an Augmented Environment

Abstract

Abstract. During the process of human childbirth, obstetric forceps delivery is a justified alternative to Caesarean section when normal vagi-nal delivery proves difficult or impossible. Currently, training of forceps interventions is done directly on patients due to the lack of realistic train-ing facilities. The research presented in this paper demonstrates a first implementation of an obstetric forceps simulation in an augmented envi-ronment. Currently, the simulation allows an obstetrician to manipulate a real forceps whilst rotating and extracting a virtual fetus from the birth canal. Deformations of the baby‘s skull, as a result of the forceps manip-ulation, are then calculated, hence providing diagnostic information of the intervention. Further development of the simulation includes haptic feedback to turn it into a useful training tool for junior obstetricians and other medical professionals. 1