School of Design, Engineering & Computing

Patient simulator draws parliamentary interest

21 April 2011

Conor Burns pays a visit BU for a demonstration of an innovative research project.

Bournemouth West MP, Conor Burns, recently visited BU’s School of Design, Engineering & Computing for a demonstration of an innovative research project to create a unique, simulated ‘virtual patient’.

The aim of the three-year project, which commenced last October in collaboration with the Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is to develop a novel epidural simulator for virtual training and administration.

A team from BU’s SMART Technology Research Centre, including PhD research student Neil Vaughan; Consultant Anaesthetist Professor Mike Wee; BU Associate Professor Dr Venky Dubey and Centre Director Professor Bogdan Gabrys, is developing an interactive computer graphics model of lumbar spinal vertebrae interfaced to a force feedback needle insertion device.

Novel aspects are that the spine model will be able to adapt to match the size, shape and varying characteristics of patients. This complete epidural simulator will ultimately help to train both novice and experienced anaesthetists, with a goal of making epidural procedure safer, thereby reducing morbidity amongst patients.

The project drew the attention of Conor Burns after it was showcased at the Set for Britain competition organised by The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee at The House of Commons. The annual competition, aimed at promoting early-stage and early-career research scientists, is held during National Science and Engineering Week.

The BU project was chosen out of a large number of leading research applications from around the UK to appear amongst the 60 finalists at the conference and drew a great deal of interest from MPs and other competitors.

“Our work stood out from the other projects due to its multidisciplinary nature combining clinical, imaging, computing and engineering aspects,” said Dr Dubey. “The event and the visit of Conor Burns to the University campus have helped to raise the awareness of the leading research currently being undertaken at Poole Hospital and BU and the benefit of collaborations between the clinicians and academic staff.”