Perspectives Inaugural Issue (Winter 2013)

PERSPECTIVES • WINTER/SPRING 2013 39 lar sonography,” said Samuel Yoders, M.H.S., RVT, director of the NSU-Tampa Cardiovascular Sonography Program. “After all, prior to now, this level of simulator technology was reserved for medical school, residency, and specialty training of physicians. “One of the most difficult things for beginning sonographers to over- come is the cognitive disconnect between what they see on an ultra- sound display and the reality of the three-dimensional object that is the human body and all of its parts,” he added. “We believe the inte- gration of the HeartWorks Virtual 3D Heart Simulator from the beginning of their echocardiography training will result in a higher- quality educational experience for our students, and ultimately im- prove their ability to provide the best care for their patients as they enter their new profession upon graduation. According to Yoders, “The acquisition of the HeartWorks simulator for the Cardiovascular Sonography Program was made possible through the visionary support of our dean, Dr. Richard Davis, and our executive associate dean, Guy Nehrenz, Ed.D. 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 • TAMPA CVS Program...Educational History Excerpts from the HeartWorks Web Site “The HeartWorks Virtual 3D Heart Simulator is an echocardiography training tool developed by practicing doctors with anatomically accurate 3D heart real-time ultrasound simulation. The core of the system is a computer-gen- erated, animated 3D model of the normal human heart with high-fidelity ul- trasound simulation, both virtual and manikin-based, for transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. HeartWorks has provided a compre- hensive 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 accu- rately 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 comprehen- sive anatomy text with over 150 separate intracardiac structures labeled and described. Any selected structure can be simultaneously highlighted in the text and displayed within the 3D model. The arrangement of the display win- dows on the screen can be adjusted by the operator.” For additional information, please visit the HeartWorks Web site at http://www.heartworks.me.uk/index.php?page=home&lang=uk . Cardiovascular sonography students Keisha McGee (at simulator controls) and Abrar Alfanti show their enthusiasm for the new simulator in their Echo I Lab training session. Cardiovascular sonography student Perry Cleghorn at simulator controls while Abrar Alfanti looks on in their Echo I Lab training session. Left Photo: Cardiovascular sonography student Coralis Mercado-Gonzalez and Bruce Martin, RDCS, RVT, RDMS, assistant professor in the cardiovascular program, put the new HeartWorks 3D echocardiography simulator through its paces. Right Photo: Cardiovascular sonography student Marie Sallier checks out the new HeartWorks 3D echocardiography simulator.