Technology Portfolio

Ultrasound-Guided Invasive Procedure Trainer

Designed for use in maternal-fetal medicine, this ultrasound simulation device features adjustable components that make it suitable for training at various levels of expertise in all fields in which ultrasound-guided invasive procedures are employed.

Technology Overview

Reference #: WFU 14-76

A Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center physician who instructs postgraduate fellows in maternal-fetal medicine invented a training device with a number of interchangeable and moveable targets. This simulator can be configured to be more or less challenging and to mimic various patient situations for different procedures in maternal-fetal medicine and other fields.

The ultrasound simulation device was received favorably by clinicians at the 2015 meeting of the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Duke University Hospital and UNC Hospitals. It is currently being used to train postgraduate fellows at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Ultrasound-guided invasive procedures (such as amniocentesis) are delicate tasks that require hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity and other abilities. Clinicians need to acquire, develop and practice these skills in a risk-free environment before performing such procedures in a clinical setting. But the devices currently available for training in ultrasound-guided invasive procedures simulate specific anatomic structures with fixed target constructs, which severely limits their instructional utility.

A functional prototype has been developed and can be demonstrated.

  • Joshua M. Nitsche, MD, PhD, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Brian C. Brost, MD, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

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John Druga
John Druga, MS, MBA
Licensing Director, Technology Commercialization

+1.336.716.4421

jdruga@wakehealth.edu