Surgical Simulation: The CathLabVR System

 The virtual-reality CathLabVR System fills roughly the same space as real cath lab equipment and includes:

• Two monitors, one for displaying fluoroscopic views, Virtual Assistant functions, navigation control, and simulated patient information; the other for displaying physio, cine, and still images, controls for the C-arm — as well as total procedure running time, fluoroscopy and cine radiation time, and contrast instilled
• A manifold for contrast instillation, balloons, balloon stents, guidewire, and catheter
• A foot pedal used to capture cines and control fluoroscopy; a joystick to maneuver the simulated C-arm; and a keyboard and mouse to make onscreen selections

Multiple endovascular simulation modules cover a variety of situations and procedures:

• Coronary and peripheral vascular interventions
• Cardiac pacing
• Cardiac valve replacements
• Carotid interventions

Realistic in Every Detail

The SmartCapture tool recognition enhances realism by automatically recognizing and responding to instrument insertion and removal. The simulator uses four carriages enabling the insertion and rotation of up to four instruments simultaneously. In addition, the CathLab VR simulator’s physics-based haptic engine provides realistic changes in simulated physiology.