Market assessment: interactive ultrasound simulator for sonographer training and accreditation

市场评估：用于超声医师培训和认证的交互式超声模拟器

• 批准号: 485149-2015
• 负责人: Steinman, David
• 金额: $ 1.08万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Idea to Innovation
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=584756
• 关键词: Market; assessment; interactive; ultrasound; simulator

Ultrasound is a front-line tool in clinics around the world, owing to its low cost, non-invasiveness and portability. On the other hand, ultrasound images are notoriously difficult to interpret, and their quality depends heavily on operator expertise. Ultrasound operators become proficient by taking advanced courses and through clinical experience where, in principle at least, they will be exposed to a wide variety of pathologies. In practice, however, these conditions are often not met by the end of the training. As a result of this and other key healthcare trends, the economic value of ultrasound is under-realized for a variety of stakeholders. Just as the aviation industry has come to rely on sophisticated, computer-based flight simulators to safely and effectively train pilots, we propose a similar paradigm shift for training ultrasound operators. We have developed (and filed a patent for) a novel ultrasound simulation approach, which, for the first time, is capable of realistically and accurately reproducing the physics of ultrasound in real-time. Unlike current training simulators, which emulate the appearance of ultrasound images and are restricted to a single ultrasound mode, our software simulates the physics of ultrasound, allowing real-time, operator dependent ultrasound simulation across a wide range of ultrasound imaging modes and disease indications. We are now ready to translate our research into an ultrasound simulator device that marries our physics engine to a realistic ultrasound operator interface and comprehensive organ pathologies. This will serve to reduce learning times while improving the operator's experience, thus increasing the accuracy of examinations and saving costs in basic training, specialized training and continuing education.. The possibility of using our ultrasound simulator as a certification tool will open the door to the creation of standardization procedures around the globe.

超声波是世界各地诊所的一线工具，这是由于其低成本，无侵入性和可移植性。 另一方面，超声图像很难解释，它们的质量在很大程度上取决于操作员的专业知识。超声操作员通过参加高级课程和临床经验而熟练，至少在原则上，他们将暴露于各种各样的病理学。但是，实际上，在培训结束时通常无法满足这些条件。由于这一和其他关键的医疗趋势，超声的经济价值对各种利益相关者的实现程度低估了。 正如航空业依靠复杂的基于计算机的飞行模拟器安全有效地培训飞行员一样，我们提出了类似的范式转变，用于培训超声操作员。我们已经开发了（并申请了一种专利）一种新型的超声模拟方法，该方法首次能够实时实时地实际复制超声波物理学。与当前模拟超声图像的外观并仅限于单个超声模式的训练模拟器不同，我们的软件模拟了超声的物理，从而允许实时，依赖性超声模拟在广泛的超声成像模式和疾病指示中。 现在，我们准备将研究转化为超声模拟器设备，该设备将物理引擎与现实的超声操作员界面和全面的器官病理相结合。 这将有助于减少学习时间，同时改善操作员的经验，从而提高考试的准确性并节省基础培训，专业培训和继续教育的成本。.将使用我们的超声模拟器作为认证工具的可能性将为全球标准化程序创建打开大门。