medspace.CA

Operating theatre radiography environment

medspace.CA the world’s first simulation of in-theatre imaging places the learner in a “sterile” operating theatre alongside mobile C-Arm apparatus. This module delivers a challenging learning environment for students with time pressure and low tolerance for error. medspace.CA aims to provide realistic process simulation to better prepare students for the challenges of these procedures. Equipment must be positioned within the room to suit the surgeon’s needs while maintaining sterility and generating useful images. The environment utilises high physical and functional fidelity in order to improve future transfer of skills to clinical practice.

Users are able to navigate around the room and change viewpoints as well as interact with the equipment. Various surfaces are designated as sterile and must not be touched by any of the equipment.

The Medspace.CA experience

Environment

The high pressure environment requires users to select parameters as rapidly as possible. The resulting image as well as the “standard” image can be displayed for comparison. medspace.CA will provide users with animated feedback of recommended improvements to each challenge.

Equipment

Users have no control over the initial environment or patient position, mimicking clinical practice. They start by selecting a protocol; this then immediately places them into the operating theatre with the patient positioned as per surgical procedure requirements. Users are tasked with placing the C-Arm and monitors in the most appropriate positions and setting up for the required image. The user has full control over the equipment and simply clicks on the equipment control to bring up an interactive display. The user must position the different items of equipment within the constraints of the environment as well as ensure correct imaging parameters are selected.

Surgeon

The environment features an interactive surgeon who waits impatiently for the imaging to be completed. The surgeon provides verbal feedback if the user causes collision of equipment or invasion of sterile areas. The high resolution 3D environment provides a heightened sense of presence and realism.

Imaging

As in real clinical surgical settings, imaging is performed within the high stress environment of the operating theatre. Reinforcement of fundamental radiation protection practice, such as, correct tube and detector orientation, helps prepare learners for clinical placement. Learners can adjust a wide range of technical parameters, image orientation, dual monitor display and perform still or screening exposures. The software will display both the user’s image and the tutor’s “standard” for comparison. Automated feedback is especially valuable to the user when they undertake independent learning using the module.

Administration

medspace.VR products are designed with learning in mind, providing a wide range of features to facilitate learning activity design. Tutors can create “standard” setups and images tailored to local practice. Unlimited standard setups can easily be created and saved as a protocol for students.