SIMULATION AND MODELLING IN EDUCATION OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS
SIMULATION AND MODELLING IN EDUCATION OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS

Summary/Abstract: We have designed a few laboratory exercises within the course "Respiratory therapy" which is taught as an elective course in the studying programme "Biomedical engineer". The aim of the course was to prepare practically oriented education with the use of modern medical devices commonly used in the clinical practice. High fidelity simulators and models were involved into the education to maximally increase an interest of students about the education. The graduates of the course should gain theoretical and practical knowledge from ventilator technique and its use in the clinical practice. A laboratory exercise with a special model of the respiratory system based on the human anatomy was prepared. The developed model has five compartments and each compartment is represented by a demijohn with a proper volume. Each compartment has a unique time constant according to the volume of the demijohn and resistance of the tubes representing airways. A device for synchronous measurement of the pressure in eight places and flow was designed to study pressure and flow distribution in different places of the model. Regional ventilation can be evaluated in the exercise. Another exercise is based on the use of respiratory simulator ASL 5000 (Ingmar Medical, USA). The simulator allows to simulate different values of the respiratory system mechanics. It allows to study the interaction between the ventilator and the simulator. The airway resistance and alveolar compliance can be changed in running scenario and immediate effect can be studied. Also a script that allows studying assistive ventilatory regimens was designed for ASL 5000 simulator. The spontaneous breathing generated by the simulator is combined with a support by connected ventilator. We have also prepared an exercise with a life-size mannequin HPS (CAE Healthcare, USA) supporting intubation and connection of the lung ventilator with the mannequin. Students are supposed to intubate the patient and properly connect the ventilator in the scenario of severe desaturation. It is necessary to watch the values of blood gases and find a settings of the ventilator to provide a proper ventilation and maintain a physiological values of blood gases. A set of practical laboratory exercises with modern medical devices, simulators and models of the respiratory system was designed to ensure maximally practical education within the course “Respiratory therapy".

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