Prototype Simulator as a Tool to Support Training in the Surgical Technique of Extracapsular Cataract Extraction in Canines

Cataracts are a frequent cause of blindness in canines, and their timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preserve the animal's quality of life. Although surgery is the primary treatment, its success depends on the surgeon's skill; the extracapsular extraction technique, one of the most commonly used, presents intraoperative complications since cadaver training does not adequately replicate the ocular biomechanical properties. A simulator prototype has been developed for the training of this technique, which allows realistic practices and improves professional competence. The development involved the characterization of the eye and the surgical technique using a bibliographic and experimental review, as well as a biomechanical analysis of the eye considering the forces generated by the extraocular muscles and the force required for the initial incision in the sclera (2.36 N), which an electronic system will measure during the procedure. In the design stage, CAD tools, 3D printing, and casting techniques were used to obtain the parts that simulate the tissues, the mesocephalic head of the canine, and strain gauges were used to measure the force set using a Wheatstone bridge. A first evaluation showed improvements in terms of size and arrangement of the interchangeable parts.