The All-India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) has reportedly collaborated with IIT Delhi and designed an AI-based simulator to train and evaluate budding neurosurgeons for minimally invasive microscopic and endoscopic surgical skills. As per the experts, it aims to change how neurosurgical skills, actions that bring considerable differences in brain surgery, are observed and evaluated. The system majorly eases the burden behind evaluation on neurosurgeons and establishes a standard in training and assessment protocols within the field.  

The principal investigator of the neuro-engineering facility and unit head of the neurosurgery department at AIIMS Delhi, Dr Ashish Suri, mentioned, “In the current apprenticeship model, the neurosurgeons learn by observing and assisting an expert inside the operating room. The traditional approach to training is becoming more and more prohibitive due to the lack of efficient training. To cope with these inherent problems of the apprenticeship model and provide effective training, intelligent smart surgical simulators are an effective alternative.” 

 He further said 3D printing and AI play a pivotal role in creating neurosurgical simulators and monitoring surgical skills in the brain surgery domain. 3D printing enables the development of highly detailed and customised brain models, which helps surgeons practice procedures on realistic anatomical structures. AI deep learning and machine learning algorithms can evaluate a surgeon’s performance in terms of precision, speed and decision-making during these simulations by offering real-time feedback.  

The institute director, Prof Srinivas, believes this ground-breaking initiative could change the pattern of teaching future surgeons.  

One of the collaborators of this project and head of the computer science department at IIT Delhi, Prof Prem Kumar Kalra, said, “The collaboration between IIT Delhi and AIIMS through this project has yielded significant results in the automation of skills evaluation in microscopic and endoscopic neurosurgery training using computer vision and AI/ML. This will foster further research towards technology development in medical education and training.”