Market assessment: interactive ultrasound simulator for sonographer training and accreditation

超声波由于其低成本、非侵入性和便携性而成为世界各地诊所的一线工具。 另一方面，众所周知，超声图像难以解释，其质量在很大程度上取决于操作员的专业知识。超声操作员通过参加高级课程和临床经验变得熟练，至少在原则上，他们将接触到各种各样的病理。然而，在实践中，这些条件往往在培训结束时得不到满足。由于这一点和其他关键的医疗保健趋势，超声的经济价值对各种利益相关者来说都没有得到充分的认识。 正如航空业已经开始依赖复杂的，基于计算机的飞行模拟器来安全有效地培训飞行员一样，我们提出了一个类似的模式转变来培训超声操作员。我们开发了一种新型的超声模拟方法（并申请了专利），该方法首次能够真实准确地实时再现超声物理学。与目前的训练模拟器不同，它模拟超声图像的外观并仅限于单一超声模式，我们的软件模拟超声的物理学，允许在广泛的超声成像模式和疾病适应症中进行实时，操作员相关的超声模拟。 我们现在准备将我们的研究转化为超声模拟器设备，将我们的物理引擎与逼真的超声操作员界面和全面的器官病理学结合起来。 这将有助于减少学习时间，同时改善操作员的经验，从而提高考试的准确性，并节省基本培训、专业培训和继续教育的费用。使用我们的超声模拟器作为认证工具的可能性将为地球仪的标准化程序的创建打开大门。

Ultrasound is a front-line tool in clinics around the world, owing to its low cost, non-invasiveness and portability. On the other hand, ultrasound images are notoriously difficult to interpret, and their quality depends heavily on operator expertise. Ultrasound operators become proficient by taking advanced courses and through clinical experience where, in principle at least, they will be exposed to a wide variety of pathologies. In practice, however, these conditions are often not met by the end of the training. As a result of this and other key healthcare trends, the economic value of ultrasound is under-realized for a variety of stakeholders. Just as the aviation industry has come to rely on sophisticated, computer-based flight simulators to safely and effectively train pilots, we propose a similar paradigm shift for training ultrasound operators. We have developed (and filed a patent for) a novel ultrasound simulation approach, which, for the first time, is capable of realistically and accurately reproducing the physics of ultrasound in real-time. Unlike current training simulators, which emulate the appearance of ultrasound images and are restricted to a single ultrasound mode, our software simulates the physics of ultrasound, allowing real-time, operator dependent ultrasound simulation across a wide range of ultrasound imaging modes and disease indications. We are now ready to translate our research into an ultrasound simulator device that marries our physics engine to a realistic ultrasound operator interface and comprehensive organ pathologies. This will serve to reduce learning times while improving the operator's experience, thus increasing the accuracy of examinations and saving costs in basic training, specialized training and continuing education.. The possibility of using our ultrasound simulator as a certification tool will open the door to the creation of standardization procedures around the globe.