SIMQUEST INTERNATIONAL, LLC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: N

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The goal of this Phase I work is to develop an innovative simulation based trainer to teach lateral canthotomy and cantholysis LCC an emergency sight saving procedure Existing manikins are inadequate for LCC training because they present only normal anatomy whereas LCC is only indicated when there is pathologic anatomy i e significant distortion Currently there are no LCC simulators available By developing a flexible and scalable training system LCC may be taught to a wide range of healthcare providers not just ophthalmologists The four Specific Aims of the project are to determine with subject matter experts SMEs shared task analysis training goals and coordination required with existing prehospital LCC training develop a prototype LCC simulation system design interchangeable haptic tooling and develop a marketing approach The final product will consist of a low cost platform i e a tablet with content tat includes the normal anatomy of the eye pathology pathophysiology indications for LCC surgical steps errors and metrics a physical model that will enable trainees to feel both normal and abnormal anatomy including orbital and zygomatic fracture a virtual augmented reality VR AR environment that will provide the platform for technical skill acquisition performance metrics and a variety of pathologies using a haptic interface that will provide hands on training in performing an LCC procedure in the presence of significant pathology Feasibility verification and content and engineering design will occur in Phase I and a prototype will be developed in Phase II that will be embedded in a curriculum ready for validation and poised for Phase III commercialization to the civilian EMS market PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis LCC are recommended as first line interventions for certain types of ocular trauma When indicated LCC must be performed emergently to prevent irreversible blindness The proposed system will provide effective LCC training that will prepare ophthalmologists as well as non ophthalmologic physicians when no ophthalmologist is present to emergently perform an LCC before the optic nerve is damaged thus helping further the National Eye Instituteandapos s mission to preserve sight