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Technology
Medical Simulation, a Key Industry
Central Florida’s simulation industry is working on creative ways to combat what the military has identified as the three most preventable types of battlefield deaths: Blocked airways, collapsed lungs and hemorrhaging. Researchers also are developing products to measure how U.S. fighters are coping with stress and to help them heal from injuries.
» Device (above): A mannequin of an average height, average weight male soldier that can breathe, blink, salivate, bleed, show fear and even display an allergic reaction to medication
» Purpose: About 15 of the devices are being used to train military personnel to handle injuries they might see in battle.
» Creators: Army Research Development and Engineering Command, Simulation and Training Technology Center (RDE COM) and Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), along with Sarasota manufacturer Medical Education Technologies
» Cost: About $30,000 apiece
» Device (at right): Sensor that measures the perspiration content of a finger and indicates whether a person is agitated, which correlates to heart rate and indicates reaction to stressors
» Purpose: Customized rehabilitation for military personnel who suffer brain injuries. In the future, scientists can use it with EEG skull caps to study what the brain is doing when a person becomes upset and distracted.
» Creators: Media Convergence Laboratory at UCF Institute for Simulation and Training working with the Air Force
» Cost: Not yet determined
» Device (at right): Eye-tracking system that measures what a pilot is viewing
» Purpose: To train novices to think like experts when scanning aircraft instrument panels. In the future, EEG skull caps will help measure how much a person has learned.
» Creators: U.S. Navy researchers in Orlando, along with the University of Iowa
» Cost: Not yet determined
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Device (at right): Portable lifelike arm that simulates bleeding, a pulse and sense of urgency for someone treating an injury
» Purpose: Replaces a block of wood for training soldiers to use any style of tourniquet. Other body parts are planned.
» Creators: Research scientist Todd Lazarus at the University of Central Florida, along with U.S. Army simulation and training experts and Chi Systems of Orlando
» Cost: Projected about $1,500 apiece
