Extreme Cold Simulation Training Environment for Medic Education (ECSTREME)

For this Phase I SBIR project, Vcom3D will research and develop a modular, proof-of-concept Mixed Reality (MR) Extreme Cold Simulation Trainer for Medic Education (ECSTREME). The system will build on available Modular Healthcare Simulation and Education System (MoHSES) open standards, interoperable modules, and open-source resources. We will demonstrate and evaluate a proof-of-concept ECSTREME system that shows the concept of operation. This proof-of-concept will include each of the following: A high-performance, MoHSES-compliant female trauma manikin with an accurate simulation of airway, breathing with chest motion, and interchangeable legs exhibiting frostbite and multi-trauma. An advanced physiological simulation of hypothermia, hypoperfusion, and acidosis. A virtual patient and virtual equipment. Three patient scenarios that include cold-related injuries. Using this Proof-of-Concept system, we will address these Research Questions: What are the highest priority cold injury conditions and interventions that need to be trained? How are they trained currently? What are the training gaps? What level of austerity and ambient conditions for equipment operation should be considered for (1) Point-of-Injury and (2) Prolonged Casualty Care medical treatment? To what extent can open standards and open-source software, such as Modular Healthcare Simulation and Education System (MoHSES), be leveraged to reduce development costs or enable collaborative development of Medical Simulations for Arctic or Extreme Cold Environments (AoECE). How can these open standards and software be improved to support development of MedSim for AoECE? What existing training simulations or interoperable modules can be used as-is, or with limited modifications to support the training requirements? Based on answers to these research questions, what are the most effective ways that a Phase II SBIR based on this topic can advance medical simulation and training for AoECE conditions?     ​​​​​