NU 2020-176
INVENTORS Ahmad Sami Chaouki* Mary McBride* David O'Neill* Ryan Fong Isabella Rischall Di Wu
ABSTRACT Teaching pacemaker management to medical professionals has historically been difficult. The application of textbook and seminar knowledge under dire or unexpected circumstances can present potential challenges to successfully treat such critically ill patients with life-saving pacing. A lack of practice within a safe environment and the potential harm to patients during training both can limit the number of medical professionals who become proficient at management. Simulation education in medicine has been shown to be an effective way of teaching and has been shown to decrease patient morbidity and mortality. While some simulation devices with basic pacing functionality have been prototyped, they are limited to specific manufacturers. An experienced Northwestern team, consisting of physicians and engineers, has designed and developed a device that simulates the human heart, not only by generating a heart rhythm, but also by responding to and providing outputs to be received real pacemakers. It is fully programmable to generate a true electrical output that mimics human hearts. The educator will be able to select from any type of heart rhythm as well as specific characteristics of the rhythm of the heart, matching the variability seen in real patients. This output is compatible with any commercially available temporary or permanent pacemaker and heart monitor. The trainee will gain valuable insight into the pacing characteristics of the heart as the virtual heart will respond appropriately to the pacing and generate new rhythms affected by the pacing to the monitor. This device will augment cardiology training in medical schools, academic and private hospitals.
APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
IP STATUS Provision and PCT applications have been filed.