{"doi":"10.1115/dmd2025-1072","title":"Towards a Brachytherapy Training System: Real-Time Hand and Needle Tracking using Machine Learning","abstract":"Abstract This study introduces new methods for real-time position tracking of the operator’s hand(s) and needle(s) while performing prostate brachytherapy (BT) using machine learning. The real-time data is intended to be used towards the development of a novel training environment for prostate BT. The system utilizes a single top-view camera for tracking the operator's thumb and needle base, enabling the calculation of key parameters such as insertion depth, velocity, and needle tip angle. A flexible nitinol needle design enhances adaptability and conformity to patient-specific anatomy, addressing limitations of conventional rigid needles. Experimental results demonstrate the system's ability to track needle movements and operator inputs, providing insights into needle position and control. Future work will focus on expanding the system's capabilities through additional cameras for eye tracking and implementing real-time visual overlays to assist residents during training. This training environment aims to improve procedural precision and support BT training.","journal":null,"year":2025,"id":558137,"datarank":0.0,"base_score":0.0,"endowment":0.0,"self_citation_contribution":0.0,"citation_network_contribution":0.0,"self_endowment_contribution":0.0,"citer_contribution":0.0,"corpus_percentile":null,"corpus_rank":null,"citation_count":1,"citer_count":0,"citers_with_citation_signal":0,"citers_with_endowment":0,"datacite_reuse_total":0,"is_dataset":false,"is_dataset_confidence":0.9478,"is_data_producer":false,"deposit_databanks":null,"is_oa":true,"file_count":0,"downloads":0,"has_version_chain":false,"published_date":"2025-01-01","fair_score":null,"fair_percentile":null,"algorithm_id":"datarank_citation_only_1hop_v6","ranking_scope":"data_only","authors":[{"id":1459022,"name":"Samantha Timarie Lee","orcid":null,"position":1,"is_corresponding":false},{"id":235189,"name":"Mitchell Kamrava","orcid":"0000-0003-1744-6271","position":2,"is_corresponding":false},{"id":935774,"name":"Bardia Konh","orcid":"0000-0001-9700-8751","position":3,"is_corresponding":false},{"id":1192840,"name":"Rex Imanaka","orcid":null,"position":0,"is_corresponding":true}],"reference_count":0,"raw_metadata":null,"created_at":"2026-07-19T02:55:25.969263Z","pmid":null,"pmcid":null,"fwci":null,"citation_percentile":null,"influential_citations":0,"oa_status":null,"license":null,"views":0,"total_file_size_bytes":0,"version_count":0,"fair_f":null,"fair_a":null,"fair_i":null,"fair_r":null,"fair_zscore":null,"fair_rationale":null,"fair_model":null,"fair_agent_version":null,"fair_fulltext_source":null,"fair_has_llm":null,"fair_computed_at":null,"clinical_trials":[],"software_tools":[],"db_accessions":[],"linked_datasets":[],"topics":[]}