Fig 1.
A dynamic physical model was developed to replicate the physiological changes occurring due to the progression of an infected wound.
a) A series of molds were designed, and 3D printed to create each layer of the simulated tissue. The task trainer includes (b) a permanent base and c) disposable skin.
Fig 2.
Graphic describing the dynamic infection model with the MoHSES platform and BioGears engine.
Fig 3.
Overview figure denoting the model progression of sepsis.
We can leverage the accumulation of these interacting models to extract a core temperature throughout the simulation that is a function of these prior effects. For more severe bacterial infection, the tissue damage leads to more severe thermoregulatory changes.
Fig 4.
The simulated patient’s physiological response to varying levels of initial bacterial populations in the tissue.
The core temperature and tissue integrity are reported for each. The set point is the threshold by which the heating in the physical model is triggered.
Fig 5.
As the infection progresses from a) initial wound to b) infected, the simulated tissue undergoes physical changes resulting in the surface temperature increasing to feverish levels, reddening of the skin around the wound, localized formation of an edema, and ultimately the release of purulence.
Table 1.
Participant’s surgical specialty.
Fig 6.
a) Survey responses to question one: On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being “Not at All Realistic” and 5 being “Very Realistic”, please rate how realistically the model portrays an infected laceration wound? b) Survey responses to question two: On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “Strongly Disagree” and 5 being “Strongly Agree”, how much do you agree with the statement that this model has value for training in the recognition of the signs of infection? (c) Survey responses to question three: On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “Makes it Much Worse” and 5 being “Makes It Much Better”, please rate how much you think the dynamic aspect of the model affects the learning experience of the simulation when compared to a static infected wound model that does not change.