SIMETRI Develops Fasciotomy Training System

The Fasciotomy Training System is being demonstrated as a family of training devices by the U.S. Army Futures Command in the Joint Program Manager for Medical Modeling and Simulation booth 2185.

ORLANDO, Florida. December 2, 2019 — In 2016, SIMETRI and the U.S. Army Futures Command introduced the development of an innovative and state-of-the-art lower extremity fasciotomy part task trainer. A fasciotomy is performed to treat compartment syndrome, an extremely dangerous condition caused by swelling in the extremities. Throughout the last few years, the research, design and testing has continued to improve the solution, including recent integration with the advanced modular manikin (AMM), a program managed by the Joint Project Manager Medical Modeling and Simulation (JPM MMS).

“This program has been such an exciting one to be a part of because the training solution is making an immediate impact on students, as well as providing the opportunity to further our research for continued improvements,” said Angela Albán, SIMETRI’s president and CEO. “Currently our focus is the physiological development of the system to provide better interactions for scenario training.”

When left untreated, compartment syndrome can result in loss of limb and possibly death. The training device provides usersthe opportunity to learn the critical tasks and techniques required to perform a fasciotomy of the lower extremities. Soldiers can develop compartment

syndrome after blast or crush injuries, and although not as common in normal civilian life, can be seen following events like natural disasters and road traffic collisions.

The most recent updates include the design updates facilitating attachment to the Rescue Randy and Laerdal manikins, the two of the most commonly used human patient simulators used by the U.S. Army, other U.S. forces, and first responders as well.

SIMETRI has also moved forward to create a table top simulator to familiarize the trainee with the tissues and common techniques used when performing a fasciotomy procedure. This simple training device enables users to cut through tissue — the skin, adipose, and fascia — and then ultimately exposing the muscle. It, along with several other fasciotomy products including the Rescue Randy and Laerdal modules, will be featured by the U.S. Army Futures Command in the JPM MMS booth 2185 at this week’s Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando, Florida.

SIMETRI’s future development plans include a virtual reality component for training military medical personnel. Military sponsored research supports the use of intelligent technologies to help measure skills, minimize errors, schedule training, and control the duration and expense of training.