Medical simulation is becoming more prominent in the medical community as it provides a highly realistic training experience. Complex medical manikins are preferred for these practices because of their ability to emulate realistic movements and responses. These advanced and multifunctional trainers allow the user to conduct many different scenarios using a single system such as level of consciousness testing and airway management. In comparison, low-fidelity manikins, such as static CPR dummies, can only be used for a single task. A 2014 study found distinct advantages to using high-fidelity simulators instead of static manikins with trainees experiencing higher self-confidence, knowledge gained, and skill improvement [1]. Unfortunately, high-fidelity manikins are cost-prohibitive for programs such as EMT training courses that do not have the resources or budget for electronic patient simulators [2]. The manikins’ ability to simulate multiple procedures, provide realistic training, and give real-time feedback to trainees greatly outweighs the use of several single task trainers used in conjunction with one another [3]. Creating low cost, high-fidelity manikins with the ability to simulate various scenarios will give more medical training programs access to realistic simulations and can better prepare trainees for real life situations. This paper will present details on the development of a low-cost high-fidelity manikin that can satisfy the previously stated requirements.The developed animatronic included a head and neck apparatus, allowing for the completion of key medical simulations including level of consciousness testing, airway management, and circulatory assessment. The mechanical design was developed for major facial features including the neck, jaw, lips, skin, eyes, eyebrows, and eyelids, so that the system could exhibit anthropomorphic dimensions, range of motion, and forces. Most of these systems were 3D printed to minimize manufacturing and material costs. The animatronic included electrical systems to control the mechanisms, sense the environment, and increase the functionality and modularity of the system. Camera, force sensors, and a microphone were selected to allow the system to sense and react to visual, physical, and auditory stimuli in a manner comparable to a human’s senses of sight, touch, and sound.Medical, mechanical, and electrical tests were developed and conducted using the newly constructed prototype. The mechanical components were tested for range of motion, velocity, and force with motion capture software and various force gauges. The sensors were analyzed and tested individually to optimize functionality before integrating with the prototype for preliminary system testing that resulted in autonomous movement based on sensor input. Preliminary testing produced satisfactory results with future work focusing on the appropriate testing with medical trainees and professionals. The results will demonstrate the feasibility of a cost effective, multifunctional animatronic for medical simulation.References:1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Massoth, C., Roder, H., Ohlenburg, H., Hessler, M., Zarbock, A., Popping, D., Wenk, M. (2019). Highfidelity is not superior to low-fidelity simulation but leads to overconfidence in medical students. BMC Medical Education. https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-019-1464-72.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lauer, D. (2019, September 19). Interview with Medical Student.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brown, G. (2020, January 26). Conversation with the head of WPI EMS

Humanoid Animatronic Learning Simulator for Medical Interactive Training (H.A.L. S.M.I.T.)

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IMECE/IMECE2021/volume/85543

ASME 2021 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE2021)

Supporting the need among researchers worldwide for additional online and multimedia content, ASME now offers the ASME Conference Video Collection. This platform will collect and provide long-term access to conference presentation videos, encompassing all technology areas within ASME's technical conference and events program. About 30,000-40,000 engineers across all mechanical engineering and related disciplines participate in ASME conferences each year. This includes authors of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 technical papers published by ASME, the majority of whom also submit video presentations for our virtual conferences. The video collection will be available as an add-on to existing product packages or as a separate subscription.