Telemedicine and Advanced Medical Technology - Medical/Surgical, Mission Support Modeling, and Simulation

"This Phase II proposal describes the development of a comprehensive, fieldable computer-based simulation for training in central lines placement (CVC). The system will include refined hardware, underlying software, and educational content created to meetneeds defined by clinical faculty. Structured evaluation will help guide and validate system development and validation.Proposed technical advances include using Immersion's patented haptic computer mouse to simulate detection and recognition of arterial pulses; developing a virtual needle that floats freely in space and provides multi-axis tactile force feedback to theuser; simulating the experience of striking bone (clavicle) with the needle; rendering and modeling relevant tracks of the human venous system; advancement of the software framework to allow customization of didactic elements, including institutionalpolicy, procedural flow, and tool parameters; and creation on 20 virtual patient cases. An Immersion Medical simulator for CVC would allow users to effectively increase their patient volume, thereby benefiting healthcare by reducing patient complications and their related costs. The proposed simulator would also be a valuable training toolfor the U.S. military, where central lines placement is a required element of requisite Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training. Implementation of the proposed technology would bolster medical support to thewounded soldier through enhanced medical training. In success, the proposed project will improve military readiness through shortened recovery times, and will lead to the production of commercially viable products with educational and training benefits forU.S. hospitals and medical schools. Laptop portability will further allow training in field situations currently inaccessible for CVC training."