The Boston Scientific SimSuite® visited the Health Science Center, showcasing a simulated patient with complex coronary disease.
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The Boston Scientific SimSuite® recently visited the Health Science Center, drawing faculty and staff to the full-sized bus that showcased a simulated patient with complex coronary disease. The simulation was developed in part by Steven Bailey, M.D., professor of cardiology in the School of Medicine. Those who came aboard the bus had the opportunity to perform an atherectomy on the mock patient.

“Only one or two out of a hundred patients have this level of disease complexity. This simulation is helpful for individuals to practice and perfect treatments even if they have never treated this problem,” Dr. Bailey said.

During an atherectomy, a physician guides the catheter into the blocked coronary arteries. This catheter has been equipped with special devices that cut away some of the fatty plaque inside the blocked arteries. Blockages can lead to fatal results if not properly treated.

The innovative technological equipment created by Boston Scientific, called Rotoblator™, is similar to a flight simulator. The virtual surgery that several people had the opportunity to perform is said to be almost exactly like what is performed in an actual cardiology “cath” lab. It is designed to help both experienced and beginner surgeons to perform the procedures without having to use actual patients. Virtual simulation machines soon may play a major role in testing for future surgeons.

“Those who come aboard the SimSuite® are amazed how similar this is to the actual thing,” said Charles Alva, interventional sales specialist for Boston Scientific. “Although it has been around for only five years, a lot of improvements have been made to it in that amount of time.”