Medtronic VR Simulator at Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting 2021
Author: Alex Dzyuba, Lucid Reality Labs Founder & CEO
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) held its annual meeting ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021, on October 8 – 12, 2021, in San Diego, US. Covering the latest anesthesiology insights, this year’s event was a hybrid supporting in-person and virtual presence. Consisting of 600 sessions and uniting over 10000 online and offline attendees, the central theme for the 2021 meeting was managing change and leading innovation while also focusing on the association’s unique position as a natural leader during these difficult times. The ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021 venue was the first and largest anesthesia meeting worldwide, offering onsite mentorship for academic and clinical anesthesiologists and a virtual track.
Image Source: ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021
ASA is an American research, educational, and scientific society founded in 1905. It connects over 54,000 member organizations, aiming to set, elevate, and maintain the industry standards of the anesthesiology medical practice. Culture plays a significant role in the country’s medical system, striving to improve healthcare and acting as an advocate for all medical cases that require pain relief or anesthesia. They aim to ensure the utmost quality and safety in care for every patient.
The ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021 exhibition hall incorporated new and returning activities, highlighting the central stage, hands-on learning, and challenging case areas. Connection lounges allowed event residents, medical students, and guests to collaborate during designated meet-up times. The event served as a platform to network and exchange knowledge and innovation. The exhibitors contributed significantly to the annual meeting and ASA by sharing insights on the latest research and advancements in anesthesiology.
While setting the stage at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021 Exhibitor Town Hall, David Hepner, M.D., M.P.H., FASA, Director of the Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists and the Annual Meeting Oversight Committee Chair, outlined innovation as one of the primary goals.
DAVID HEPNER, M.D.,M.P.H.,FASA
“Many of the sessions will emphasize moving forward our collective strength, leadership, and cutting-edge research and approaches. The association of 2021 will be forward thinking and positive for focusing on leading innovation and transformation or optimization in the field.”
Medtronic, one of the global leaders in medical technology, services, and solutions and a seven-year supporter of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exemplifies innovation and leadership in this field. During the Davos agenda of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2021, Geoff Martha, CEO & Chairman Of The Board Of Directors at Medtronic, spoke about the importance of innovation and the role it plays in developing remote and virtual capabilities in the medical technology sector, helping conduct remote training and medical education virtually. Geoff further expanded on the topic in the article “Beyond the Pandemic: Innovation to democratize healthcare.”
GEOFF MARTHA, CEO & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT MEDTRONIC
“While the universal healthcare needs of lowering costs, improving outcomes, and expanding access may seem opposed, we can deliver on all of these needs concurrently — through technology and innovation. I believe innovation can democratize healthcare, much like how the internet democratized many other things. Beyond simply innovating, we must maintain agility in deploying innovations.”
During the demonstration of the latest advancements in intubation procedures and technologies at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021, Medtronic utilized the power of Virtual Reality (VR) to showcase the McGRATH™ MAC video laryngoscope, a handheld intubation device optimizing first-attempt success during both routine and difficult intubations.
The Lucid Reality Labs team joined Medtronic in their booth at this year’s event, engaging attendees in the customized and immersive VR experience developed with Medtronic.
The interactive VR intubation simulation demonstrates the capabilities of the McGRATH™ MAC video laryngoscope. It enables practitioners and medical students to practice an intubation procedure with various patients and scenarios. Practitioners must choose the correct blade from the range of options available, basing their decision on a specific patient profile. Then, they perform the intubation while being timed on their progress.
The immersive simulation provides an excellent opportunity for medical specialists and students to enhance their skills and realistically get new experiences. The McGRATH™ MAC VR Intubation Simulation submerges users into a 3-dimensional operating room (OR), including equipment and sounds. It also provides an opportunity to train remotely and safely with maximum impact.
ALEX DZYBA, LUCID REALITY LABS CEO
“VR simulation is yet another example of a medical Metaverse where the immersive simulation can enhance the medical training process, utilizing the power of hands-on experience and virtual training environments while being risk-free for the actual patient and immersive for the clinician. “
Today, VR technology can assist in managing change and deliver innovation to many fields of the healthcare industry, including but not limited to anesthesiology. The cutting-edge technology opens the door to a new way of remote engagement, learning, training, upskilling, and reskilling while delivering immersive, hands-on experiences to medical specialists worldwide.
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