Phase 1: I led the development of a comprehensive training facility featuring a digital twin of the TrueBeam radiotherapy system. This virtual model precisely replicates the mechanical functionalities of the main systems, including the radiotherapy machine, treatment couch, and control room operations, creating a safe and interactive training environment for clinicians.

The model includes detailed components such as imaging arms, a collimator, jaws, and sensors, all interacting dynamically with inputs from the hand pendant and the control system. Each component is equipped with tactile feedback mechanisms that trigger specific mechanical responses, enhancing the hands-on learning experience. Seamlessly integrated within the Unity 3D platform, this digital twin forms a robust foundation for further training modules that aim to boost clinicians’ operational confidence and proficiency.

Contributions:

• Project Planning and Stakeholder Engagement: Met with the account lead to define the scope and milestones. Participated in initial meetings to secure the project based on trust established from previous projects. Conducted detailed stakeholder meetings and surveys with instructors and users to identify their specific needs.
• Assessment and Proposal Development: Reviewed the current training methodologies and proposed the development of a digital twin for the facility. Secured a comprehensive video from stakeholders outlining all desired functionalities.
• Asset Management and Data Collection: Created an asset inventory to assess available resources and identify needs. Visited the facility to take detailed images of instruments, record audio sound bites, and capture video of the machine mechanics in action.
• Technical Understanding and Documentation: Thoroughly read hardware manuals to understand the integration and operation of the TrueBeam system. Created UX storyboards to visualize the implementation process, including hardware integration. Developed task lists with charts and documented user journeys to effectively communicate project stages to the team.
• Design and Development: Produced design documents and technical design specifications. Executed all aspects of visual design, GUI development, and game mechanics creation for all machine components within the project. Created a GUI that included toolkit information of all touchpoints and assets to enhance understanding of the instruments and tools. Built all the imaging arms animations, ensuring dynamic and accurate representation of movements.
• Technology Stack Selection: Chose the appropriate technology stack to ensure optimal performance and integration of the digital twin.
• Unity Development and Scripting: Handled all Unity development, collaborating with a programmer who was responsible for connecting animations and syncing with the machine operations, and occasionally assisting with quality assurance tasks.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Led testing and usability assessments, overseeing all quality assurance processes to ensure the project met all specifications and user requirements.
• Successful Delivery: Managed the successful delivery of phase 1, ensuring the project met all goals for the base build and was ready for Phase 2: Module training development for clinicians.

Client: Varian Medical Systems

Team:

• Project Leadership and Technical Execution: Tena Nguyen – Handled all aspects of the TrueBeam Radiotherapy System’s Digital Twin project, including project management, creative and technical design, Unity development, and quality assurance. Collaborated with a programmer who specifically assisted with scripts to connect animations and sync systems.
• 3D Modeler/CAD Specialist: Jeff Alu
• 3D Modeler/Intern: [Name not specified]
• Programmer: Brad Tutam
• Audio Capture: Mike V