Independent Validation, Proven Results
At Mimic, we understand that independent validation is of utmost importance to our customers. We are proud to say that the dV-Trainer™ has demonstrated face, content, construct, and concurrent validity in multiple studies. Recent studies have concluded that the dV-Trainer™ is comparable to dry-lab training on the da Vinci® robot (concurrent validity), and efforts are under way to assess the predictive validity of the simulator.
Mimic’s dV-Trainer™ was the first commercially available simulator for robotic surgery. The first prototype was installed at Indiana University’s Department of Urology in February of 2007, and it remains the only stand-alone robotic simulator that has been independently validated in published studies.
Validation: Definitions
Face: Realistic look and feel
Content: Useful as a training tool
Construct: Ability to distinguish between Novice and Expert users
Concurrent: Compares to a similar or related construct (Dry Labs, Tissue Lab, etc.)
Predictive: Predicts actual performance in the O.R.
Published Validation Studies
Mimic Validation Studies Information Sheet
“Virtual Reality Robotic Surgery Warm-Up Improves Task Performance in a Dry Laboratory Environment: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study”, J Am Coll Surg, April 2013, by T.S. Lendvay, T.C. Brand, L. White, T. Kowalewski, S. Jonnadula, L.D. Mercer, D. Khorsand, J. Andros, B. Hannaford, R.M. Satava
“Comparative Assessment of Three Standardized Robotic Surgery Training Methods”, BJU International, March 2013, by A.J. Hung, I.S. Jayaratna, K. Teruya, M.M. Desai, I.S. Gill, A.C. Goh
“Validation, Correlation, and Comparison of the da Vinci Trainer and the da Vinci Surgical Skills Simulator Using the Mimic® Software for Urologic Robotic Surgical Education”, Journal of Endourology , December 2012, by M.A. Liss, C.Abdelshehid, S. Quach, A. Lusch, J. Graversen, J. Landman, E.M. McDougall
“Using Simulators to Measure Communication Latency Effects in Robotic Telesurgery”, Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) , December 2012, by R. Smith and S. Chauhan
“Da Vinci Skills Simulator Construct Validation Study: Correlation of Prior Robotic Experience with Overall Score and Time Score Simulator Performance”, Urology, August 2012, by K.T. Finnegan, A.M. Meraney, StaFF I, S.J. Schichman
“Concurrent and Predictive Validation of a Novel Robotic Surgery Simulator: A Prospective, Randomized Study”, Journal of Urology, February 2012, by A. Hung, M. Patil, P. Zehnder, J Cai, C. Ng, M. Aron, I. Gill, M. Desai
“The Virtual Reality Simulator dV-Trainer™ is a Valid Assessment Tool for Robotic Surgical Skills”, Surgical Endoscopy, April 2012, by C. Perrenot, M. Perez, N. Tran, J-P. Jehl, J.Felblinger
“Validation Study of a Virtual Reality Robotic Simulator – Role as an Assessment Tool?”, Journal of Urology, March 2012, by J. Lee, D. Kerbl, P. Mucksavage, M. Etafy, V. Huynh, E. McDougall
“Validating the Use of the Mimic dV-Trainer™ for Robotic Surgery Skill Acquisition Among Urology Residents”, Urology, October 2011, by R. Korets, A.C. Mues, J.A. Graversen, M. Gupta, M.C. Benson, K.L. Cooper, J. Landman, K.K. Badani
“Face, Content and Construct Validity of a Novel Robotic Surgery Simulator”, Journal of Urology, September 2011, by A. Hung, P. Zehnder, M. Patil, J Cai, C. Ng, M. Aron, I. Gill, M. Desai
“Validation Study of a 3D Virtual Robot Simulator as a Robot Surgery Training System”, Journal of Korean Colorectal Surgery , April 2011, by S. Kim, J. Cho
“Does Training on a Virtual Reality Robotic Simulator Improve Performance on the da Vinci® Surgical System?”, Journal of Endourology, Volume 24, Number 3, March 2010, by M. Lerner, M. Ayalew, W. Peine,, C. Sundaram
“Face, Content, and Construct Validity of dV-Trainer, a Novel Virtual Reality Simulator for Robotic Surgery”, Journal of Urology, Volume 73, Issue 6, June 2009, by P. Kenney, M. Wszolek, J. Gould, J. Libertino, A. Moinzadeh
“Validation of a Novel Virtual Reality Robotic Simulator”, Journal of Endourology, Volume 23, Number 3, March 2009, by A. Sethi, W. Peine, Y. Mohammadi, C. Sundaram
“Initial validation of a virtual-reality robotic simulator”, Journal of Robotic Surgery, Volume 2, Number 3, September 2008, by T. Lendvay, P. Casale, R. Sweet, C. Peters
Pending Validation Studies
Akron General Hospital – Concurrent Validity for Skills Retention
Indiana University – Predictive Validity
New York University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University Hospital of Nancy (France), Uniformed Services University – Optimum Curriculum for Accelerated Learning
University Medical Centre Utrecht (Netherlands), Lund University (Sweden) – Face, Content, Construct Validity
"Simulation is a validated training tool and Mimic has developed simulation software which can help move surgeons along their learning curve. Numerous studies have confirmed the face, content and construct validity of the Mimic robotic simulation exercises. These exercises allow the surgeon to realistically learn how to use the da Vinci surgical system."
Dr. Myriam Curet
Chief Medical Advisor at Intuitive Surgical Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine