Simulation and Questions

Model: a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process; "the computer program was based on a model of the circulatory and respiratory systems"

Simulation: the act of imitating the behavior of some situation or some process by means of something suitably analogous

Simulations actually imitate the behavior of a situation, while a model hypothetically describes the situation and outcome

http://www.mimic.ws/products/training-modules.php
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/robotic-surgical-simulator-lets-doctors-sharpen-their-skills-by/

1. How well do the modelers understand the underlying science or theory? How well understood are the relevant properties of the materials involved? How accurate and complete are the data?
The modelers of the simulation understand the human body very well. It has been studied in great depth, and although there are different phenomena, through actual surgeries and many robotic surgeries now being done, the method with which the surgery has to be done is now known. The properties of the human body are fairly well understood, and it is definitely known enough for the person to do the surgery. The simulation has objects representing parts of the body. The data therefore is fairly complete, however it is simplified with the body parts not being exactly as they would look when a robotic surgery is performed. However, the data about what needs to be done during the robotic surgery is known.

2. What are the assumptions and simplifications in the model?
The simplifications in the model are vast, and they range from the details of the images to the consistency of the body. They do not use an actual image of a heart per say, but use an image that represents the heart. It also assumes that there are no complications in the surgery, while in actual surgery there may be some. It also assumes what the persons body is like, while the human body and anatomy may vary slightly from person to person. The model assumes that the user knows what is what inside the body, and it assumes what the body of the person may be like. The program however is used to get doctors used to using a robot for the surgery, and how to use the controls. The specifics are not as important in the simulation, however the doctor does learn how to use the robotic hands to do the surgery.

3. How closely do the results or predictions of the model correspond with results from physical experiments or real experience?
The results and predictions of the model correspond with the physical experiments and real experience very closely. They use the same basic anatomy of the human body, and the user will use the machine to do the simulation surgery. The difference is that every body is not the same, and so there will be differences that may be small or large, that when the user is actually doing a robotic surgery will have to take into account. However, this is a useful tool to help the user get used to the controls and doing a robotic surgery, and it would definitely help them improve.