P.F. Villard,
F.P. Vidal,
L. ap Cenydd,
R. Holbrey,
S. Pisharody,
S. Johnson,
A. Bulpitt,
N.W. John,
F. Bello,
D. Gould, "Interventional Radiology Virtual Simulator for Liver Biopsy", International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery. Accepted July 2013.

Abstract Purpose: Training in Interventional Radiology currently uses the apprenticeship model, where clinical and technical skills of invasive procedures are learnt during practice in patients. This apprenticeship training method is increasingly limited by regulatory re-
strictions on working hours, concerns over patient risk through trainees' inexperience, and the variable exposure to case mix and emergencies during training. To address this, we have developed a computer-based simulation of visceral needle puncture procedures.
Methods: A real-time framework has been built that includes: segmentation, physically-based modelling, haptics rendering, pseudo-ultrasound generation and the concept of a physical mannequin. It is the result of a close collaboration between di erent universities, in-
volving computer scientists, clinicians, clinical engineers and occupational psychologists.

Results: The technical implementation of the framework is a robust and real-time simulation environment combining a physical platform and an immersive computerized virtual environment. The face, content and construct validation has been previously assessed, show-
ing the reliability and e ectiveness of this framework, as well as its potential for teaching visceral needle puncture.

Conclusion: A simulator for ultrasound-guided liverbiopsy has been developed. It includes functionalities and metrics extracted from cognitive task analysis. This framework can be useful during training, particularly given the known diculties in gaining signi cant prac-
tice of core skills in patients.