Inventive Medical Ltd and Glassworks, a visual effects and post production company based in London, have developed a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) simulator based on their HeartWorks heart modelling suite of tools.
The simulator comprises a mannequin torso, probe and visualization software.
From the product page:
This package allows real-time simulated TTE imaging of the virtual heart using a manikin. The life size manikin torso has soft skin with accurate, palpable anatomical landmarks to aid positioning of the handheld ultrasound probe.
The screen display allows the user to identify the position of the probe on the virtual chest as well as to see the orientation of the ultrasound plane.
The anatomy display includes a representation of the chest wall, ribs, sternum and spine as well as great vessels, lungs, pericardium, diaphragm and liver. These structures are displayed in the ultrasound view with realistic effects on cardiac imaging.
This package retains the virtual heart controls and features of the TEE and anatomy packages, along with the ability to generate ‘slideshow’ presentations.
It will be interesting to eventually see the responsiveness of this system in action.
Video at Glassworks showing off the simulator…
Link: Transthoracic Echocardiography Simulator
Flashback: HeartWorks 3D Computer Generated Transesophageal Echo Simulator;