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BIA-Brukerstyrt innovasjonsarena

Ultrasound Simulator - Helping save lives

Awarded: NOK 11.6 mill.

In heath care the use of simulators may both improve quality and efficiency of the treatment process as well as ensure safe and correct handling of patients in acute situations. Ultrasound technology has improved dramatically in recent years, both due to image quality as well as due to the size and portability of the equipment. Today, small wearable ultrasound scanners can easily be transported anywhere and used in various trauma situations as well as for rapid and advanced diagnostics and for countinousl y follow up of patients. However, although ultrasound imaging is increasingly being used in health care, the imaging modality demands experienced users in order to be optimally exploited. Therefore, there are internationally demands for good simulators wh ich can optimize the usage and interpretation of ultrasound imaging and thereby improve the quality and efficiency of health care.The few products already on the market suffer from poor and unrealistic image quality, too high costs as well as represented by stand alone simulator units. Improvements of products will demand considerably research activity and effort of relatively high risk for finding solutions for simulation of static and dynamic 2D and 3D ultrasound images, which will give a realistic trai ning set up for the true clinical applications. Norway has excellent research groups with highly relevant competence in the field of ultrasound imaging, navigation/probe positioning and simulation. Laerdal Medical is an internationally recognized company leader in the field of simulators. Together the research group and the company will join forces to offer a new and highly competitive product portefolio of ultrasound simulators which strengthen norwegian industry, expand scientific research and developme nt activities in Norway and improves health care and patient treatment world wide. Results will be published in scientific int. journals with referee, a PhD will be educated and several patents will be filed

Funding scheme:

BIA-Brukerstyrt innovasjonsarena