VR central venous access simulation system for newborns

Abstract

Central venous access is an invasive medical procedure of high complexity used in critically ill patients. Its implementation requires great skills and knowledge from a health care specialist. Advances in patient simulators present solutions regarding children and adults, however, newborn simulators are scarce. This paper presents the development of a newborn's central venous access simulator for training and educational purposes. The simulation system is composed of three main subsystems: a procedural simulation, showing how the procedure must be correctly performed; a haptic subsystem for increasing realism; and finally a newborn manikin with image projection for guiding the procedure.