Cambrian Students Develop Lifelike Manikin for Medical Training

A team of students from Cambrian College in Greater Sudbury has developed an innovative manikin designed to enhance medical training through realistic simulation. This manikin, equipped with a functioning heart and lungs, plays a crucial role in teaching life-saving procedures, including a rare surgical intervention known as thoracotomy. The new teaching tool aims to provide a more immersive learning experience for medical professionals at Health Sciences North (HSN).

During a recent simulation, a surgeon stabilized the manikin, which was programmed to experience a cardiac arrest due to a stab wound to the chest. This practical exercise allowed learners to practice emergency protocols in a controlled environment. Alex Wood, manager of the Simulation Lab at HSN, emphasized the manikin’s advanced features, stating, “We’re actually able to get a beating heart inside the chest that learners need to repair in this particular circumstance — they actually have fluid coming out of that heart.”

Realistic Features Enhance Learning

The manikin’s design incorporates a beating heart and a full ribcage, developed by students specializing in engineering, computer programming, and graphic arts through Cambrian’s Applied Research division. “You need to access the heart and lung space quite urgently,” Wood explained. “It’s done through a lateral incision through the chest wall… accessing that heart and lung space.”

To achieve a realistic simulation, students utilized 3D printing technology to create anatomically correct structures. They strategically selected materials to replicate the tactile sensations that medical professionals would encounter during an actual procedure. Mike Commito, director of Cambrian’s research and development, noted the importance of these adjustments: “That popping you hear when you actually are cracking ribs… gives them a more realistic feel when the learners are going in through the ribs.”

Instructors observe the procedure from a control room, separated by a one-way mirror, enabling real-time evaluations of the learners’ performance.

Bridging Gaps in Medical Training

The thoracotomy procedure, while essential, is infrequently performed by many medical professionals. Dr. Pankaj Bhatia, HSN’s chief of staff and a practicing general surgeon, highlighted the significance of this training tool. “The whole point of this trainer is to not only recreate that scenario of realism, but to also ensure that our learners understand when it’s appropriate to use and when it’s not appropriate to use.”

Although other thoracotomy trainers exist in the market, Wood asserts that none offer the level of realism found in Cambrian’s manikin. This innovative collaboration between Cambrian College and Health Sciences North is set to transform medical education, equipping future healthcare providers with the necessary skills to handle high-stakes situations effectively.

As the field of medical training continues to evolve, initiatives like this underscore the importance of integrating technology and education, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes in real-life scenarios.