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Press release: HT Medical Systems Announces PreOp Endoscopic Simulator at Visible Human Conference
(BETHESDA, MD) October 1, 1998 - After eight years and $15 million of R&D in interactive virtual reality technologies, HT Medical Systems today announced the introduction of the PreOp Endoscopic Simulator for medical education. This announcement occurred at the Second Visible Human Project Conference on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
"PreOp brings the Visible Human back to life – he breathes, his heart beats, he even coughs," said HT Medical President and CEO Greg Merril. "Using the Visible Human Data Set, our PreOp Endoscopic Simulator provides a realistic medical environment where physicians can learn without putting patients at risk."
The simulator consists of a personal computer, a robotic interface device, and case-based software modules containing a number of training scenarios. The first set of PreOp modules focus on flexible bronchoscopy, an invasive procedure that is used to diagnose and treat diseases of the lung, such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
"The clinical community has been very helpful in providing guidance on how best to meet their training needs," said Joe Tasto, M.D., HT Medical Director of Medical Research and Technology. "From medical residents needing initial training to experienced physicians wanting to learn new procedures or maintain their skills, there is a tremendous demand for this product."
The PreOp system is significant in its technical innovation and low cost. The underlying technology has been recognized by Discover Magazine as one of the software innovations of the year and has been made a part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent research collection. HT Medical’s proprietary technology allows for a level of realism in interactive computer simulation that has never been achieved in the past. Specifically, this level of realism is achieved through:
Visual realism - the tissue looks real
Physical realism - the tissue "moves" when touched
Physiological realism - the virtual patient exhibits involuntary muscle contractions, bleeding, etc.
Tactile realism - the physician can feel variable resistance during the simulated procedure
The PreOp Endoscopic Simulator integrates HT Medical’s proprietary computer modeling technology and tactile feedback robotic technology with new low-cost/high-power graphics computers.
The system is the second product line for HT Medical, which launched the CathSim™ Intravenous Training System in April of this year. CathSim is currently used in nursing schools, teaching hospitals, and community colleges across the United States and internationally. A third product line in development will cover endovascular procedures.
Founded in 1987 and based in Rockville, Maryland, HT Medical Systems, Inc. is the leading developer of virtual reality (VR) medical technologies that, unlike anything previously available, allow medical personnel to learn how to perform procedures without putting patients at risk. HT Medical’s technology development has been supported through the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs of the National Institutes of Health and the U. S. Navy.
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