Virtual Environment Training for Trauma Management

The proposed effort incolves the development of surgical simulation technologies that will both enable the Navy to provide improved training for trauma management and be broadly applicable to the improvement of civilian medical education. This project leverages High Techsplanations, Inc (HT) ongoing DOD (ARPA) and civilian work in virtual reality medical training system development. Phase I of this effor involves the content and design specifications for simulations which are cirtical to trauma management including: establishment of a surgical airway, placement of an endotracheal tube, chest tube placement for treatment of tension pneumothorax and diagnostic paracentesis, venous access (femoral, sublavian, and jugular), and reduction of extremity fractures and dislocation. In addition, HT will complete a prototype module for subclavian line placement (central line) procedure. Phase II will involve the development of functionally-complete prototype device which allows simulation of each of the above mentioned procedures and the integration of the virtual reality procedural simulations into patient case scenarios to allow practice and assessment of these skills for medical personnel. Phase II involves the development of a medical training simulation for distribution and actual use for both civilian and military usage.