Description:
This paper presents the development of an Ultrasonography Simulator Training Tool. Ultrasonography is a user-dependent technology; operators must possess both physical and cognitive ultrasonography capability to include mechanical manipulation of the probe, image capture, and interpretation of pathology. There are three major challenges in developing a simulator training tool that provides both the physical (hardware) and cognitive (software-visualization) learning experience: 1) graphical user interface design, 2) hardware utilization and interface, and 3) the integration of software for simulating volume of ultrasound beams and visualization of images (imagery data). This tool is being being developed with educator input from conceptual design to final product validation. The initial output of this effort is a prototype real-time, dynamic ultrasound simulator training tool specific for cardiac interrogation. The tool has been crafted to accommodate a dedicated teaching component that is extendable with additional anatomical imagery and teaching materials to include instructor observation capability.