The Leiden anaesthesia simulator

Abstract

We describe an anaesthesia simulator capable of simulating all possible situations during anaesthesia. The Leiden anaesthesia simulator (LAS) may be used with most commercially available anaesthesia equipment and monitors, which are connected to the simulated patient as they are to a patient. A commercially available intubation manikin attached to an electromechanical lung model represents the patient. The lung allows both spontaneous and mechanical ventilation. Compliance, resistance, tidal volume and ventilatory frequency may be altered by a controlling computer. Carbon dioxide production and oxygen uptake are simulated. Physiological signals (ECG, arterial, pulmonary arterial and central venous pressure waveforms) generated by a signal generator under software control provide input to the monitors. All types of ECG disturbances may be simulated. There are facilities for simulating non-invasive arterial pressure measurement and pulse oximetry. A series of physiological models is being developed to control interactions between the cardiovascular and respiratory variables. During a simulation session, a pre-defined scenario is presented to the trainee. The task of the trainee is to diagnose and treat the problem as if in real life. The simulator experiences on the LAS were judged as highly realistic by 28 subjects. This simulator is currently being used for teaching and training of anaesthetists, trainees and anaesthesia personnel and for research.