# NIH High-fidelity Virtual Reality Trainer for Orthognathic Surgery - Phase II

> **NIH NIH R44** · KITWARE, INC. · 2020 · $727,425

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Oral and Maxillofacial (OMF) Surgery is considered a dental specialty, but both medicine and dentistry
contribute to the unique scope, skills, and training needed to perform craniofacial surgeries. OMFS residents
receive basic training with powered drills, but not with the powered saws needed to perform osteotomies. The
OMF surgical community is making an active effort to develop new approaches to surgical training in order to
compensate for limits in work hours, mitigate differences between training standards, and improving the
efficiency of learning while minimizing the risks for the patients. Simulation-based learning, a technology
adopted in other training paradigms, has demonstrated potential in enhancing surgeons' knowledge and
psychomotor skills. We propose developing a fully immersive, high fidelity virtual trainer that will improve the
current standard of OMF surgical training by enhancing the learning of difficult surgical skills with minimal risk
to the patients. During the Phase I of this project, we developed a Virtual Reality (VR) based, fully-immersive
OMF surgery trainer prototype. This system allowed surgeons to train for the osteotomy step in Sagittal Split
Osteotomy (SSO). The system, currently a prototype, will be completed during this Phase II. We will finalize
our Osteotomy Trainer by addressing technological limitations found in Phase I, generalizing it to contain more
craniofacial osteotomies surgical scenarios and performing clinical validation. After executing those steps our
product will be ready for commercialization. We believe the Osteotomy Trainer has the potential to generate
market revenue while improving the training process for OMF surgeons and other related disciplines without
adding risks to patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9931212
- **Project number:** 5R44DE027595-03
- **Recipient organization:** KITWARE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Beatriz Paniagua
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $727,425
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-07 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9931212

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9931212, NIH High-fidelity Virtual Reality Trainer for Orthognathic Surgery - Phase II (5R44DE027595-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9931212. Licensed CC0.

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