SMART3D - 3D Printed Synthetic and Self-Healing Soft Tissues for Improved Military Medical Training

Medical simulation is a critical aspect of military training to improve the readiness of the medical force. Manikins and part-task trainers are utilized for skills training including tourniquet application, airway management, needle decompression of the chest, and more for point of injury care, and these skills extend to fasciotomy and chest tube insertion among others for prolonged care or surgical combat casualty care. Simulation-based training enables trainees to repeat skills until proficiency is reached, yet current human simulators often are not anatomically accurate and do not capture the fidelity of human tissue. Many simulators also have consumable pieces which are replaced after a procedure is complete (e.g., skin, muscle patches) with an associated cost. For simulation centers, this requires ordering the consumables needed from each vendor, tracking inventorying, and storing the components until use. There is a need for the on-demand production of synthetic soft tissue with high fidelity to improve trainee buy-in and expand simulation center capabilities. To improve the resources available for simulation centers and training scenarios, Luna Labs USA, LLC and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) partner will build upon extensive expertise and experience to develop a 3D printing technology to print consumables as needed at the site of training based on student throughput and specific training objectives. Methods capable of rapid printing with high resolution will be utilized to prepare materials with the requisite tissue characteristics, and self-healing capabilities will be established to further improve usability.