February 13th Minutes

From: Ken Waldron

My notes from todays meeting are as follows:

Present: David Gutierrez, Juan Aragon, Robert Cheng, Ken Waldron, LeRoy Heinrichs, Steve Senger (videocon).

1 Network tests Work continues on identifying the delay problem that was encountered during the Fall Anatomy Event. Two problems appear to be significant: dropping of packets at the application site, and network delay between the server and client. The application wildly overcompensates leading to extremely low data rates. Bandwidth limits may be a secondary but significant problem. Steve is convinced there is some problem specific to Windows 2000. He is adding more diagnostics to the application in preparation for additional tests.

2 Server problems A problem has been noticed in that if the client exits improperly it leaves a "ghost" on Elegon. Happened with the old machine on the Reachin workstation. Also the emulator crashed in a test with 4 clients, leaving 4 ghosts on the server. Upgrading the machine serving the Reachin workstation has largely cured the problem.

3 SimTecT LeRoy reported on a conference call this week that included Kevin Smith, duncan Stevenson and Chris Gunn from CSIRO, Pat Cregan (Nepean District Hospital, Au.), LeRoy and Pat Youngblood (SUMMIT), Sherry Wren (general surgery). A script for the demonstration has been produced that displays the value of the Haptic Workbench. For the demonstration Sherry Wren will participate from the SUMMIT side, backed up by LeRoy. Pat Cregan will be the surgeon on the Canberra end. A half-hour demonstration is planned immediately before the lunch break which will allow audience members to come up after the demo. to handle the haptics. The audience will be wearing stereo goggles so it is suggested to use the RSV to display images of the gallbladder area from the Bassett Collection as part of the demonstration.

4 Immersive Simulation Curriculum LeRoy reported that he has had initial discussions with all relevant program directors, Executive Associate Dean Parsonnet and Associate Dean of ME Gesundheit. Enthusiastic support from this group. He has compiled a list of 30-35 fundamental procedures. The idea would be for clerks to practice these procedures in simulation and receive certification from an instructor before they go to the clinic. It is proposed to include residents as well as clerks in basic skills training on the simulators. LeRoy is working with a student to research simulator resources. At the present time these fundamental procedures are not accommodated by computer based simulations.

5 Teledermatology Ken reported that Chris has overcome the problem of mounting the accelerometer chips to terminal strips and is assembling a prototype haptic probe. Hayes Gladstone has been successful in securing a Teledermatology Fellowship to support his time on the project. This will free up a little project money for other purposes. Steve Senger is interested in pursuing use of a rapid prototyping system. ken will ask Chris Enedah to contact him to work out how to do this.

6 Collaborative infrastructure Robert has looked at the Marratech videoconferencing system that also accommodates document sharing. Suggests we take a look at it. Ken has pursued contacts re Sparrow and is awaiting their response. --

February 13th Minutes

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