Medical procedures involving Diagnostic X-rays are by far the most significant source of human-made radiation exposure to the general public.
Staff training to perform these procedures can currently only train to perform these procedures on real equipment and on real patients, exposing both themselves and the patient to unnecessary radiation.
The virtual cath lab is a fully interactive computer simulation of the clinical fluoroscopy environment and uses a real time 3d games engine which will run on any windows PC.
It will allow users to train to use equipment that delivers ionising radiation in a completely safe yet realistic way, either at home or in hospital.
In addition, through the use of 3D anatomical models, staff who are already trained in fluoroscopy can fine tune their anatomical knowledge (by experimenting with new radiographic projections (for example), also in a completely safe and radiation free environment).
The VCL
- Won an NHS Innovations award in 2009.
- Is CPD (professional learning) accredited by the College of Radiographers (United Kingdom).
- Transfers the learning curve associated with traditional methods of teaching fluoroscopy to a simulated environment, thereby reducing unnecessary radiation dose to both staff and patients & potentially improving patient safety.
- Is available for Windows PCs.
The iVCL v2.0
- Additional anatomy, includes catheters and new functionality.
- Many usability and interface improvements from v1.
- Downloadable from iTunes Apps Store.
How does the VCL work?
- Medical equipment and anatomical structures are replicated as a computer generated 3D models.
- These models are imported into a PC / iPhone based 3D game engine:
- Allowing user control & interactivity.
- Helping to achieve psycho-motor learning outcomes.
- The 3D anatomical structures can be:
- ‘Generic’
- From actual cross sectional patient data (CT or MRI DICOM).
- Optionally, a ‘procedure guide’ can be incorporated:
- Helping to achieve cognitive learning outcomes.
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
London
UK
Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London
UK
The VCL is available as a desktop version for use in your department. Contact us for a trial of this software.
Apps available for use on iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad from iTunes Store.
iVCL v2.0:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/ivclv2-0-cardiac/id419086224?mt=8
Cost: $2.99
iVCL v1.0:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ivcl/id379011867?mt=8
Cost: Free
