Virtual patient simulator for the perfusion resource management drill.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Simulation
• Cardiovascular Technology

Background:

• Perfusionists need expertise in patient physiology and cardiopulmonary bypass systems.
• Practical skills in extracorporeal circulation (ECC) technology are crucial for effective training.
• Educational simulators offer a safe environment for developing these essential skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a novel perfusion simulator system (ECCSIM) for training.
• To create a hybrid system combining hydraulic mock circulation with computer modeling.
• To assess the system's ability to reproduce physiological conditions and aid skill development.

Main Methods:

• Developed ECCSIM, a hybrid system integrating a hydraulic mock circulation loop and a computer simulation model.
• Utilized parameter estimation to determine patient physiological conditions (height, weight, cardiac indices).
• Reproduced hemodynamic conditions accurately for realistic training scenarios.

Main Results:

• Trainees successfully maintained venous oxygen saturation above 50% during simulated procedures.
• The system demonstrated increased infant physiological parameter amplitudes compared to adults.
• Instructors could adjust difficulty by modifying hemodynamic variations, enhancing training adaptability.

Conclusions:

• High-fidelity perfusion simulators with adjustable difficulty are valuable for training.
• ECCSIM provides a reproducible and adaptable environment for perfusionist education.
• The simulator facilitates basic training and crisis management drills in perfusion resource management.