This simulator was created to provide a way for a perfusionist to practice without putting patients at risk. Knowing how to react in a dynamic environment is crucial. Perfusionists must know which action to take in an unpredictable scenario. This device offers a simple one-on one approach which allows the teacher to create scenarios and allow the student to react. By changing variables with simple switches, the teacher can present a challenge that the student may then try to solve.

1. PDS Medical Solutions®
Perfusion Simulator
Stephen Peterson BS, CCP, RVT, CST, & FA
President and CEO of PDS Medical Solutions®

2. This simulator was created to provide a way for a perfusionist to
practice without putting patients at risk. Knowing how to react in a
dynamic environment is crucial. Perfusionists must know which action
to take in an unpredictable scenario. My device offers a simple one-on-
one approach to allow the teacher to create scenarios and allow the
student to react. By changing variables with simple switches, the
teacher can present a challenge that the student may then try to solve.
PDS Perfusion Simulator Prototype

3. Lights on a display panel will depict the challenge the teacher has set,
and the student must correct them using the appropriate methods.
While simple situations may prove an easy fix, more complex scenarios
can be displayed which offer greater challenge and higher risk. Knowing
how to correct these more complex scenarios will offer a student
greater ability to deal with the complications that they may face in a real
case. The student panel has been designed to provide the most realistic
simulation of the heart-lung machines that they operate during real
cases. Both dials and switches are used to simulate the correction of
deficiencies during open-heart surgery. LED lights on the display panel
show current conditions, and reflect the deficiencies set by the teacher
or corrections made by the student.
Simulator Diagram

4. Student Response Panel
When a perfusionist operates a heart-lung machine, it normal requires
at least 16 switches or dials to make adjustments. Over 17 different
medications are commonly used during procedures. These all require
continuous monitoring. In an ideal bypass operation, the perfusionist
must monitor and document events as they occur. For example,
Cardioplegia dose, temperature, clamps on or off, pumps on or off, and
medications administered are all monitored and documented within the
patient record.

5. The teacher panel controls the errors that are displayed on the display
screen. LED lights indicate the problems, which the instructor has
created. The student then must react to those situations, toggling
switches or dials to correct the problem. If the student reacts correctly,
the LED panel lights will switch to green indicating the student has
solved the discrepancy. Lights that turn blue indicate the value is too
low, and red lights indicate a value is too high.
Teacher Control Panel

6. In summary, the PDS Perfusion Simulator will allow a teacher to
simulate real world complications and offer the student the opportunity
to learn how to correct these situations prior to facing them during a
case. Ideally, the student can use an electronic medical recording
program to document the events and learn to use Perfusion Pro on the
simulations. By providing real world simulations, the student will be
better equipped to face the challenging and dynamic situations they
may face during a real case. I have also created an electronic
documentation solution that offers complete STS data collection for this
very reason. By better understanding the situations that perfusionists
Display Panel

7. face, and documenting cases in such a thorough manner, trends and
analysis will improve case outcomes, which will improve the quality of
service provided and ultimately patient health.