1. THE AUGMENTED ANESTHESIA MACHINE

2. University of Florida, Virtual Experiences Research Group (VERG)
THE AUGMENTED ANESTHESIA MACHINE
Description:
The purpose of this project is to determine how Mixed Reality impacts learning by
applying mixed reality technology to an important problem in anesthesia machine
education. To learn about anesthesia machines, anesthesiology students first use a 2D
abstract simulation called the Virtual Anesthesia Machine (VAM). Then they move on to
practicing with a real machine. However, there is some learning disconnect between the
simulation and the real machine. Components are located in different places, and the
student can no longer visualize the gas particles and the mechanics of the machine. 
The Augmented Anesthesia Machine (AAM) helps students to make the cognitive
connection between the VAM and the real machine anesthesia machine. The AAM uses
mixed reality technology to provide an in-context visualization of the VAM simulation
components; the AAM superimposes the VAM simulation directly over the real machine.
Students can view this simulation on a magic lens, which acts as a window into the
virtual world of the simulation. The lens allows the student to walk freely around the
machine while viewing the simulation from a first-person perspective. The student’s
interaction with the real machine affects the visualization of the simulation on the lens.
Thus, the AAM will help students to gain a better understanding of how their interaction
with the real machine affects the machine’s inner workings, as visualized by the
simulation, thereby improving their knowledge transfer into real world domains
Team Members:
University of Florida, College of Engineering
Benjamin Lok, Assistant Professor
Paul Fishwick, Professor
John Quarles, Graduate Student
University of Florida, Department of Anesthesiology
Samsun Lampotang, Professor
University of Florida, Department of Psychology
Ira Fischler, Professor
Image Captions (on reverse):
Top Left: The Virtual Anesthesia Machine (VAM) – a widely used 2d abstract
simulation of an anesthesia machine.
Top Right: The Augmented Anesthesia Machine – combining the VAM with the real
anesthesia machine.
Bottom Left: A student uses the magic lens to visualize the invisible gas flows of the
Bottom Right: Students can interact with the real anesthesia machine and visualize how
their interactions affect the in-context VAM simulation.