Abstract: An adaptive force guidance system for laparoscopic surgery skills training includes self-adjusting fuzzy sliding mode controllers and switching mode controllers to provide proper force feedback. Using virtual fixtures, the system restrictS motions and/or guide a trainee to navigate a surgical instrument in a 3D space in a manner that mimics a human instructor who would teach trainees by holding their hands. The self-adjusting controllers incorporate human factors such as different force sensitivity and proficiency level.

Abstract: A system is provided for evaluating MIS procedures. The system includes a sensor configured to receive task-performance data, block components, and actuating components. The sensor, block components, and actuating components are configured to simulate a training task. The system also includes a processor. The processor is configured to determine, based on the received task-performance data, a trial task-performance metric corresponding to a trial performance of the training task. The processor is also configured to select a reference task-performance metric from a plurality of reference task-performance metrics. Each reference task-performance metric in the plurality corresponds to a respective reference performance of the training task. The processor is additionally configured to determine, based on a comparison of the trial task-performance metric to the reference task-performance metric, a task-performance classification level.