Transthoracic and transesophageal ultrasound simulator

Technical features:

The simulator includes two main packages (modules): 

1.Anatomy pack

• Free, interactive, computer-generated animated model of the human heart with unprecedented realism of anatomical detail. Simulates the normal cardiac cycle and is ECG synchronized accurately.
• The heart - beating - is controlled by the computer keyboard and mouse; it can be viewed from any internal and external angle and can be zoomed in and out.
• The heart can be rotated around any axis and cut in any plane, allowing maximum flexibility in the display of cardiac structures.
• Embedded in the system it represents a complete anatomical session with over 150 separate intracardiac structures labeled and described. Any selected structure can be simultaneously highlighted in text and displayed within the 3D model. A number of predefined areas of the heart can be displayed separately or in combination to demonstrate anatomical relationships. The arrangement of the display windows on the monitor can be adjusted by the operator according to personal preference.
• Selected display windows, still or animated, can be stored as slides, automatically switching to a slideshow presentation. The images can be displayed on the system monitor or transmitted to an external projector for integration into course presentations. 

2.Ultrasound Simulation Packs

A.Transesophageal echocardiography - TEE

• Compared to the basic anatomical module, this module introduces the possibility to obtain real-time simulation of TEE from the 3D virtual heart.
• In the Ultrasound Simulation Package placing a virtual probe on the monitor generates simulated ultrasound images that are derived directly and continuously from the 3D model. The in-plane positioning of the ultrasound is controlled with the computer keyboard and mouse by icons representing the standard multi-level flexion, rotation, and angulation capabilities of the probe.
• In the Manikin Ultrasound Simulation Package, a realistic transesophageal ultrasound probe with authentic control devices is inserted into the mouth of a mannequin (life-size torso). Provided with easy USB connection to the computer system, the probe controls both the position of the simulated probe on the screen and the ultrasound level.
• The 3D model can be set to display the 'cut surface' at the ultrasound probe level, for further clarification of the in-level orientation. This mode allows trainees to clearly visualize the relationship between the 2D image of the probe, represented on the screen, and the underlying 3D anatomy of the heart. Any structure selected in the 3D model is highlighted in the simulated ultrasound image, and vice versa, so the user can easily identify any intracardiac region.
• As with the basic anatomy package, the arrangement of the windows displaying the heart, ultrasound image and descriptive text can be adjusted by the user. In this package, the slideshow presentation feature includes the ability to capture simulated ultrasound images.

B.Transthoracic echocardiography - TTE 

• This module allows real-time simulated ultrasound images of the virtual heart using a manikin. The full-size manikin's torso is soft-skinned with precise, palpable anatomical landmarks to facilitate positioning of the portable ultrasound probe.
• The display screen allows the user to identify both the position of the probe on the virtual chest and the orientation of the ultrasound level.

• The anatomical display includes representations of the chest wall, ribs, sternum and spine, as well as the great vessels, lungs, pericardium, diaphragm and liver. These structures are displayed in ultrasound images, with realistic effects in cardiac imaging.
• This package retains the virtual heart control and features of the transesophageal ultrasound and anatomy packages, along with the ability to generate slideshow presentations.

C.Ultrasound Simulation with Manikin package for both transesophageal ultrasound (TEE) and transthoracic ultrasound (TTE).

• This package combines the anatomy package, transesophageal ultrasound and transthoracic ultrasound with a single dual-purpose manikin.
• Sonda pentru ecografie transesofagiana este detașabilă pentru a spori realismul procedurii simulate.
• The manikin may be positioned supine or at a 45° lateral tilt to the left to represent normal procedural positions.

The system includes :

• HeartWorks TEE/TTE simulator with the following components:

1. Software
2. Computer (desktop PC or laptop)
3. Manikin - torso
4. Probes (ultrasound and transesophageal)
5. Pathology Module 1 (hypovolemia, localized cardiac wall dyskinesia, congestive heart failure) and measurement elements
6. Pathology Module 2 (mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis)
7. M-Mode function
8. Doppler function including CW PW (vessel staining function) of normal heart
9. 5 licenses allowing access to ASE/IML "Introduction to TEE course with EMC accreditation"

• HeartWorks Gateway software - 24-month license

1. Support for the entire pathology package purchased, including Doppler mode amplification
2. 24 months software support, including newly released software versions and up-to-date system updates
3. Module 3 Pathology and Measuring Instruments (disecție aortică, defect septal atrial) Doppler (Color și Spectral) pentru regurgitare mitrală
4. Module 4 Pathology and Measuring Instruments (valvă aortică mecanică, disfuncție ventriculară dreaptă cu regurgitare tricuspidiană ; stenoză aortică și stenoză mitrală Doppler)
5. How to evaluate individual trainee performance with metric data reporting and objective assessment of the ultrasound examination (START - Student Assessment and Review Tool)