Giacinto Barresi, Nikhil Deshpande, Leonardo S. Mattos, Luca Guastini, Giorgio Peretti, and Darwin G. Caldwell

In this paper, an integrative ergonomic evaluation of surgeon interfaces in LP is used to compare subjective usability and objective performance of a traditional system (AcuBlade) and a novel system (Virtual Scalpel). The results from the trials can be summarized as follows. (i) The usability of the Virtual Scalpel interface is demonstrated through the global usability value and the 5 different sub-scales of the SUS scale (e.g. the system is "easy to use" and "easy to learn"). (ii) The objective evaluation points to the clear advantage of the Virtual Scalpel interface over the AcuBlade interface. (iii) Both the interfaces show the same actual time for task performance, but the Virtual Scalpel interface is perceived to take significantly less time than the AcuBlade interface, implying that the Virtual Scalpel interface requires a much lower mental workload on part of the user. The t-test analysis showed the significant superiority of Virtual Scalpel in terms of the efficiency and safety aspects of its performance. (iv) Summing up, the subjective and objective evaluations classify the Virtual Scalpel interface as having superior usability and performance capability as a surgeon interface for more effective, efficient and safer laser microsurgeries.