Case Study: Advanced Lumbar Injection Trainer Using PATRIOT™ Wins “Best Innovation Award” At IMSH 2023

 

SIMULATED LUMBAR INJECTION FOR TRAINING 

Researchers at the Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University’s Center of Advanced Simulation and Education in Istanbul, Turkey have developed a platform consisting of a serious gaming module and hands-on simulator for pain management training. The aim of the platform is to provide simulation based Lumbar Transforaminal Injection training for anesthesiology and reanimation specialists, or residents. Their system was recognized at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2023 and won the Best Innovation Award. 

The platform has its own dedicated Learning Management System (LMS). If the trainees pass the serious gaming module, they are redirected by the LMS to complete the same procedure with the hands-on simulator. Training scores created by the simulator are automatically sent to the LMS. If the users complete the serious gaming module and the hands-on training, they are ready to train using cadavers.  

 

POWERED BY POLHEMUS PATRIOT™—6DOF, COST EFFECTIVE TRACKING SOLUTION

After evaluating various technologies to track the needle during the simulated Lumbar Transforaminal Injection procedure, the Polhemus PATRIOT™ was chosen. PATRIOT provides the high precision, low latency tracking required for realistic training. Polhemus proprietary technology is electromagnetic based, so all hardware is embedded into the needle and manikin.  

PATRIOT precisely tracks the position and orientation of the needle relative to an anatomically correct training manikin. The simulation uses the needle position data to show trainees if they have placed the needle correctly. The system is also linked with a physiology engine, which generates vital data on the patient monitor.

Medical simulation is becoming more commonly used to train medical professionals due to its myriad of advantages over traditional training methods. Some of the benefits of simulation-based medical education, such as this Lumbar Transforaminal Injection system, include minimizing the need for cadavers, accurately teaching psychomotor skills required for specific procedures, and lessening exposure to radiation from x-rays used in traditional training. 

Simulation trainers provide numerous benefits to trainers, trainees, and hospitals, but the real benefit translates to the future patients who will be examined by a competent, well-trained medical professional. 

Polhemus tracking technology is proudly enabling the future of medical training and simulation. Contact the Motion Tracking Experts™ to learn more. 

 

LEARN MORE: