MedaPhor, one of Fusion IP's Cardiff based portfolio companies, has entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Florida based Rotherfield Technologies, for its ultrasound training simulator - ScanTrainer, in the US.
ScanTrainer’s ultrasound simulator uses SensAble Technologies’ PHANTOM haptic device to provide a realistic, touch-enabled training experience, allowing sonography trainees to literally ‘feel’ what they see on the computer screen in order to gain real life scanning experience in a more cost-effective way, MedaPhor said.
The haptically-enabled computer training modules enable the trainees to develop the complex mix of cognitive skills and eye-hand movement coordination without the need for an ultrasound machine, a patient, or direct supervision by an expert.
ScanTrainer’s first system is the Transvaginal Simulator, which went on sale in the UK in June 2010. Its gynecological ultrasound training module replicates the experience of examining a normal and retroverted uterus, and teaches the core ultrasound examination skills, without the need for a patient to ‘learn’ on.
A range of ScanTrainer systems, with associated pathologies and learning modules will be launched next year, including a Transabdominal system for teaching obstetric, general, and Accident &Emergency based medical examinations.
MedaPhor CEO Stuart Gall said that ScanTrainer’s unique ability to teach the core ultrasound examination skills, without the need for an ultrasound machine or a patient and with reduced involvement by a trainer, speeds up the learning process and enables the trainer to supervise a larger number of trainees.
Fusion IP was established in 2002 to commercialise university-generated intellectual property.
SensAble Technologies is a developer of 3D touch-enabled (force feedback) solutions and technology that allow users to not only see and hear an on-screen computer application, but to actually ‘feel’ it.