ōA portable, high-fidelity X-Ray-guided needle surgical simulator for realistic aircrew medical training to enhance readiness in far-forward operations"

Loss of surgeon skills due to the decline of combat operations and the relatively low number of procedures performed in military hospitals compromises surgical readiness. With manikin-style simulators and cadavers, which are expensive and can only be used one time, surgery training hasn't changed much over the years. Training the next surgeons in a "safe" environment such as surgery simulation platforms can improve their proficiency. Current surgery simulators offer limited features, no real-time feedback, and a limited number of textbook cases. Marion Surgical's portable surgical simulator can be used for operative skill training and/or prevention of surgical errors. The platform can incorporate images of specific abnormalities from real patients, providing a realistic practice setting, just as data acquired from drones can be utilized to allow pilots to rehearse mission-critical maneuvers in a simulator before taking flight. This is done by employing haptic force feedback robots to render physical interactions between surgical tools and the virtual patient. The simulator comes in both standard and portable versions and can use realistic, immersive operating theaters with haptic force-feedback robots to render physical interactions between surgical tools and virtual patients. The platform will receive FDA clearance for marketing and sales through the 510(k) pathway. The cart system will be sold at an estimated price of $60K, just above most competing devices due to its additional features.