VCath is a surgical education tool for cannulating the lateral ventricles, designed specifically for tablet devices. Its aim is to guide a neurosurgical trainee through the steps of positioning and inserting a catheter into the brain of a 3D virtual patient.
One skill that trainees in neurosurgery need to gain early in their training is an appreciation of the ventricular system in the brain, and how to cannulate it in an emergency. The flow of cerebrospinal fluid can be obstructed in the ventricles by many pathological processes leading to a dangerous condition known as hydrocephalus. The pressure within the ventricles can rise leading to loss of consciousness. The ventricular system can be cannulated in the operating theatre, fluid drained and the potentially lethal rise in pressure relieved. This procedure is a commonly performed in neurosurgical departments.
VCath is designed to enable trainees to improve their understanding of ventricular catheterisation procedures. Inserting a catheter at the correct position, orientation and depth so that it punctures the correct part of the ventricle system is critical to a successful outcome. It requires the neurosurgeon to have excellent 3D awareness as the anatomy involved is not visible during surgery. VCath currently supports piercing the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle, simulating coronal catheter placement.