AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training

Cardiovascular diseases require fast and precise treatment, often involving angiography for diagnosis and intervention. However, training in angiographic procedures often entails exposure to ionizing radiation, which carries inherent risks. To reduce this exposure and enhance training realism, we de...

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Main Authors: Jan Gottfried Minkenberg, Smit Khandelwal, Ilya Digel, Martin Wiesmann, Thorsten Sichtermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6744
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author Jan Gottfried Minkenberg
Smit Khandelwal
Ilya Digel
Martin Wiesmann
Thorsten Sichtermann
author_facet Jan Gottfried Minkenberg
Smit Khandelwal
Ilya Digel
Martin Wiesmann
Thorsten Sichtermann
author_sort Jan Gottfried Minkenberg
collection DOAJ
description Cardiovascular diseases require fast and precise treatment, often involving angiography for diagnosis and intervention. However, training in angiographic procedures often entails exposure to ionizing radiation, which carries inherent risks. To reduce this exposure and enhance training realism, we developed AngioSim—a novel augmented-reality angiography simulation system combined with a vascular silicone simulator. This study evaluates the realism, effectiveness, and potential benefits of AngioSim for neurointerventional training. AngioSim was tested during neurointerventional training sessions with 24 physicians at RWTH Aachen University Hospital. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing realism, usefulness, and preferences compared to other simulators using a Likert scale. Responses were converted to binary categories and McNemar tests were applied for paired comparisons. A total of 92% of physicians rated guidewire and catheter visibility during fluoroscopy as sufficient, while 86% found RM and DSA simulations realistic. AngioSim was preferred over camera-based silicone simulators by 93%, and 96% of physicians rated it necessary for training—significantly more than other simulators (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These results demonstrate the high acceptance and perceived realism of the system and suggest that AngioSim offers advantages over existing training methods. AngioSim offers a realistic, cost-effective, and radiation-free training solution while maintaining the benefits of silicone models. It showed high utility for training purposes, making it a promising addition to neurointerventional programs.
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spelling doaj-art-2c39ef3047364b52b49c67c8fac98aa92025-08-20T03:26:16ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512674410.3390/app15126744AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional TrainingJan Gottfried Minkenberg0Smit Khandelwal1Ilya Digel2Martin Wiesmann3Thorsten Sichtermann4Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, GermanyDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, GermanyInstitute for Bioengineering, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, 52428 Jülich, GermanyDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, GermanyDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, GermanyCardiovascular diseases require fast and precise treatment, often involving angiography for diagnosis and intervention. However, training in angiographic procedures often entails exposure to ionizing radiation, which carries inherent risks. To reduce this exposure and enhance training realism, we developed AngioSim—a novel augmented-reality angiography simulation system combined with a vascular silicone simulator. This study evaluates the realism, effectiveness, and potential benefits of AngioSim for neurointerventional training. AngioSim was tested during neurointerventional training sessions with 24 physicians at RWTH Aachen University Hospital. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing realism, usefulness, and preferences compared to other simulators using a Likert scale. Responses were converted to binary categories and McNemar tests were applied for paired comparisons. A total of 92% of physicians rated guidewire and catheter visibility during fluoroscopy as sufficient, while 86% found RM and DSA simulations realistic. AngioSim was preferred over camera-based silicone simulators by 93%, and 96% of physicians rated it necessary for training—significantly more than other simulators (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These results demonstrate the high acceptance and perceived realism of the system and suggest that AngioSim offers advantages over existing training methods. AngioSim offers a realistic, cost-effective, and radiation-free training solution while maintaining the benefits of silicone models. It showed high utility for training purposes, making it a promising addition to neurointerventional programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6744neurointerventional trainingaugmented realityangiographydigital subtraction angiographyendovascular simulationmedical simulation and training
spellingShingle Jan Gottfried Minkenberg
Smit Khandelwal
Ilya Digel
Martin Wiesmann
Thorsten Sichtermann
AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training
Applied Sciences
neurointerventional training
augmented reality
angiography
digital subtraction angiography
endovascular simulation
medical simulation and training
title AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training
title_full AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training
title_fullStr AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training
title_full_unstemmed AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training
title_short AngioSim: A Novel Augmented-Reality Angiography Simulator for Radiation-Free Neurointerventional Training
title_sort angiosim a novel augmented reality angiography simulator for radiation free neurointerventional training
topic neurointerventional training
augmented reality
angiography
digital subtraction angiography
endovascular simulation
medical simulation and training
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6744
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