Millersville University computer science professor Roger Webster is creating surgical simulation equipment that could revolutionize how traumatic eye injuries are treated.

Webster is building the hardware and software for microsurgical simulation, an application that would help train surgeons in corneal suturing.

MU was awarded a $10,000 Keystone Innovation Zone grant for the project. The grant is designed to help fund private-sector commercialization projects in southcentral Pennsylvania.

Webster said the microsurgical simulation equipment will contain cornea suturing applications that will help correct eye injuries military personnel sustain in combat from flying debris, metal and dirt.

"I am very excited," Webster said. "The KIZ grant will jump-start and get this project going. It's also a springboard for other granting agencies."

The project is a partnership between MU and Dr. Joseph Sussani of Penn State College of Medicine to develop technological solutions for surgical simulation.

Last year, Sussani founded Microsurgery Simulations Software Inc., a company which is using MU as a research institute for the project.

The microsurgical eye simulation equipment consists of a mannequin-like head with virtual eye sockets that surgeons can probe with hand-held tools.

The software is being developed in the Intelligent Machines Laboratory in MU's computer science department.

Webster said there is no such application for corneal suturing in the world, making development of the project a little difficult.

"It's not built off someone else's work," Webster said. "It's not something that can be reinvented."

The company is working with the U.S. Department of Defense to obtain more money for the project through the department's Small Business Technology Transfer grant program.

The grant program provides up to $850,000 in early-stage research and development funding directly to small companies working with university researchers.

While the project has been in the works for two years, Webster said, microsurgical computer simulation software will only start being developed this summer.

Rodney Shenk, a research student at MU, is assisting Webster in creating the simulation technology.

Webster said he hopes to have the microsurgical simulation equipment ready for training next summer.

He also said he hopes to use this sort of simulation technology on other microsurgical procedures.

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com