720306Heart Simulator for Training and Diagnosis SupportClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKEpicardio has successfully completed a Proof-of-Concept project part-funded by the TSB. The outcome is a “flight” simulator for the heart - the world’s first real-time 3D simulation of the heart, which is fully interactive and can be accessed online on consumer hardware. The project results received validation and recognition by hospitals and industry alike, with evidence of increasing training efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. Epicardio now plans to develop prototypes for training and diagnosis support products to be targeted to hospitals, medical schools, cardiology trainees, medical and nursing students and cardiac device manufacturers. Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and understanding its function is a primary goal of medical training. Diagnosis of heart failure is commonly performed via electrocardiography (ECG), conventionally based on memorising and analysing patterns, which frequently lead to medical error. Minimally invasive techniques, such as pacing and ablation have increasingly become commonplace in treating heart failure. The complexity of these surgical techniques, coupled with a continuous drive towards lowering costs and risk to patient, create a need for more efficient and effective training methods. Epicardio addresses this need by introducing a new layer of training that is effective, easily accessible and inexpensive. In Epicardio technology, real-time simulation algorithms are integrated with cardiac anatomy, physiology and pathology data. The core of Epicardio’s innovation is based on the development of efficient simulation models accessible over the web. The proposed solution is scalable to other medical specialties, such as Neurology, Orthopedics and Endoscopy. Epicardio’s wider goal is to establish its technology as a standard in medical training, aiming to increase access to training and reduce patient risk.