Human performance in the task of port placement for biosensor use.

Background: We conducted a study of participants' abilities to place a laparoscopic port for in vivo biosensor use. Biosensors have physical limitations that make port placement crucial to proper data collection. A new port placement algorithm enabled evaluation of port locations, using segmented patient data in a virtual environment.

Methods: Port placement scoring algorithms were integrated into an image-guided surgery system. Virtual test scenes were created to evaluate various scenarios encountered during biosensor use. Participants were scored based on their ability to choose a port location from which points of interest could be scanned with a biosensor. Participants' scores were also compared to those of a port placement algorithm.

Results: The port placement algorithm consistently outscored participants by 10-25%. Participants were inconsistent from trial to trial and from participant to participant.

Conclusion: Port placement for biosensor procedures could be improved through training or augmentation.