CHCS Perspectives Winter 2014

PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2014 – Page 23 CARDIOVASCULAR SONOGRAPHY — TAMPA In August 2012, the Cardiovascular Sonography Program at NSU Tampa made educational history as it took delivery of an advanced, high-fidelity 3D simulator of the human heart, making it the first simulator of its kind in the world to be utilized in an allied health degree program. All previous purchasers of the simulator currently use it in the education of physicians. The cutting-edge simulator, known as the HeartWorks Virtual 3D Heart Simulator, is manufactured by Inventive Medical, Ltd. of London, England. “We believe this highly advanced simulator technology will provide our students with a distinct educational advantage over students from other al- lied health degree programs in cardiovascular sonography,” said Samuel Yo- ders, M.H.S., RVT, program director of the Cardiovascular Sonography Program at NSU Tampa. “Prior to now, this level of simulator technology has been used only in medical schools or for residency and specialty training of physicians.” Having now been in use for over a year in the program, Yoders stated that, “One of the most difficult things for beginning sonographers to over- come is the cognitive disconnect between what they see on an ultrasound display and the three-dimensional reality that is the human body and all its internal parts. After the first year of use in the program, we have seen that the integration of the HeartWorks Virtual 3D Heart Simulator from the be- ginning of their echocardiography training has resulted in a higher-quality educational experience for our students. This will ultimately improve our students’ ability to provide the best care for their patients as they enter their new profession upon graduation.” These observations are echoed by other Cardiovascular Sonography Pro- gram faculty members such as Bruce Martin, RDCS, RVT, RDMS, assistant professor. “The first group of students in the program to use the simulator has advanced further and faster than expected in learning how to perform echocardiography exams,” he explained. “These students are now in their first semester of clinical externships. We have already received evaluations and comments from a number of clinical sites regarding the excellent depth of knowledge and skills of our students when performing echocardiography exams. The detailed structures and features of the simulator have enriched our approach to teaching the students about cardiac anatomy and physiol- ogy. The real-time, live-action motion of the 3D heart model provides un- precedented insight into the inner workings of cardiac function.” “The acquisition of the HeartWorks simulator for the Cardiovascular Sonography Program was made possible through the visionary support of our prior dean, Richard Davis, Ed.D., who now serves as NSU’s vice pres- ident of regional campuses and distance learning, and Guy Nehrenz, Ed.D., executive associate dean,” added Yoders. “Their support, combined with the amazing teamwork and unflagging efforts of our legal and procurement departments over a period of nearly two years, made it all possible.” Cardiovascular Sonography Program Sees Big Results with 3D Simulator Technology “The HeartWorks Virtual 3D Heart Simulator is an echocar- diography training tool developed by practicing doctors with anatomically accurate 3D heart real-time ultrasound simula- tion. The core of the system is a computer-generated, ani- mated 3D model of the normal human heart with high-fidelity ultrasound simulation, both virtual and manikin-based, for transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Heart- Works has provided a comprehensive and effective teaching tool for all clinicians, from medical students to cardiologists, who share the need for an understanding of cardiac anatomy and echo imaging. The interactive computer-generated model of the human heart has been carefully animated to simulate the normal human cardiac cycle and is accurately synchronized to an EKG trace. The beating heart is freely controlled by the computer keyboard and mouse; it can be viewed from any angle both internally and externally and through a range of zoom. It can be rotated around any axis and sliced in any plane to allow maximal flexibility in the display of cardiac structures. Incorporated into the system is a comprehensive anatomy text with over 150 separate intracardiac structures labeled and described. Any selected structure can be simul- taneously highlighted in the text and displayed within the 3D model. The arrangement of the display windows on the screen can be adjusted by the operator.” Reference: http://www.heartworks.me.uk/index.php?page=home&lang=uk . HeartWorks Web Site Excerpts Cardiovascular sonography student Coralis Mercado-Gonzalez, class of 2014, and Bruce Martin, assistant professor, put the new HeartWorks 3D echocardiography simulator through its paces.