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Researchers at the Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) want sensors for synthetic medical training mannequins.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation calls for advanced sensors that can be embedded in synthetic mannequins, which are being developed to replace department-store mannequins used in medical training. While synthetic mannequins are designed to replicate human tissue and anatomy, department-store mannequins have a hard skin and lack internal organs.
“Although these existing mannequins are functionally capable of objectively measuring a user’s actions, this functionality is not adequate for tracking the performance of open procedures,” SBIR said. “In some cases, the space requirements for the sensor and communication apparatus prevent the user from performing other procedures entirely.”
The embedded sensors would measure and transmit data on pulse, blood pressure, respiration and renal output. They would also detect surgical incisions and suturing, including how much force and the direction of force that the human surgeon exerts on the mannequin’s tissues.
“The goal is to provide as realistic of a human response to interventional procedures on the synthetic mannequin as possible while also providing objective measurement of user metrics during both training and education activities,” the solicitation said.
Other requirements include reusability through components that are either expensive but durable or low-cost but replaceable. Phase I of the project would be a proof of concept, with a prototype delivered at the end of Phase II.
Proposals will be accepted until June 27.
