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. 

Roger Smith, PhD, is an expert in the development of simulation devices and training programs. He has spent 25 years creating leading edge simulators for the Department of Defense and Intelligence agencies, as well as accredited methods for training with these devices. He is currently the Chief Technology Officer for the Florida Hospital Nicholson Center where he is responsible for establishing the technology strategy and leading technology implementation. This includes identifying, executing and managing industry, military and federally funded simulation, modeling and training projects.  He has served as the CTO for the U.S. Army PEO for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI); VP and CTO for training systems at Titan Corp; and Vice President of Technology at BTG Inc. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, a Doctorate in Management, and an M.S. in Statistics. He has published 3 professional textbooks on simulation, 10 book chapters, and over 100 journal and conference papers. He has served on the editorial boards of the Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation and the Research Technology Management journals.  
 
Mireille Truong, MD, is a Minimally Invasive Gynecology Fellow at Celebration Health Florida Hospital and a Research Physician at the Nicholson Center.  She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During her residence, Dr. Truong received an unprecedented number of awards and honors, including Administrative Chief Resident, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists' Special Resident in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Award and Best Overall Excellence in Gynecologic Care Award. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Central Florida, College of Medicine.