Maternal Fetal Simulation developed by CAE healthcare in collaboration with INEB

The CAE Fidelis Maternal Fetal Simulator is a medical robot with pupils that dilate or constrict, measurable vital signs, a blood reservoir to simulate post-partum hemorrhage, and a birthing process that delivers a fetus through the birthing canal. The mother has palpable soft skin that simulates uterine contractions as well as leg and hip articulation for practice of childbirth positioning and maneuvers. The fetal vital signs, which are integrated with the mother's, respond to labor and delivery treatments and maneuvers, and produce APGAR scores at one minute and five minutes after birth. The simulator detects and records birth positioning and treatments for post-simulation review.

Developed by CAE Healthcare in partnership with leading maternal-fetal clinical educators in the United States and biomedical engineers at Instituto de Engenharia Biomedica (INEB) at the University of Porto in Portugal, the CAE Fidelis Maternal Fetal Simulator has drawn significant interest among medical schools across all disciplines.

According to Dr. Diogo Ayres de Campos, a perinatal obstetrician and professor of Medicine at the University of Porto, who is also a lead developer of the simulator's physiological models, the simulator will allow practice of rare or acute scenarios in which it is difficult for clinicians or teams to gain experience. "There have been enormous improvements in perinatal care affecting both maternal and perinatal mortality over the last 100 years. But to achieve further reductions in these indicators, one needs to address the very rare complications, not only in terms of diagnosis but also in anticipation and appropriate treatment. Simulation is the only way of achieving and maintaining competence in the management of such rare situations," said Dr. Ayres de Campos.

Complications of childbirth range from breech presentation to fetal distress, and they can impact long-term health of both mother and baby. A U.S. recent government study reported a 75 percent increase in serious maternal complications, such as heart attack or stroke during or after childbirth, in the United States between 1998 and 2009. The Fidelis Maternal Fetal Simulator is designed to allow healthcare teams to practice both normal deliveries and rare emergencies and complications.

SOURCE: CAE Healthcare