Using thermochromism to simulate blood oxygenation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract

Using low-cost yet high-fidelity simulation mechanisms, we implemented the central subsystem of our modular ECMO simulator, which creates the look and feel of an ECMO circuit without using an actual one.

Advanced Thermochromic Ink System for Medical Blood Simulation

“…Incumbent commercial solutions, as shown in the literature review, are costly and necessitate a significant financial investment. In addition to simulation facilities, ECMO centers that include SBT depend on a working ECMO system as well as costly consumable circuit modules that provide little background, since the visual/audio cues they generate and parameters they present are usually unreliable or uncontrollable in relation to implemented scenarios [ 19 ].…”

“…The authors of this work have also published about other aspects of the proposed simulator [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]; however, this work elaborates on the heater–cooler system for blood simulation.…”

“…The novel use of thermochromic ink has been patented, employing cost-effective simulation of blood color change. As in indicated in [ 16 , 19 ], preparing a thermochromic ink mixture requires the use of commercial black thermochromic ink that activates at 31 °C, and non-staining yellow and pink dyes mixed in 1 L of distilled water. Further details of its use can be found in the patent application.…”

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation simulation-based training: methods, drawbacks and a novel solution

“…54,55 The simulator is centered around an “ECMO circuit” module which relies on a thermochromic fluid and continuous temperature adjustment to simulate blood oxygenation and deoxygenation (Figure 4A). 56,57 Instead of a real oxygenator and pump-head, 3D printing was utilized to replicate circuit components used to circulate the thermochromic fluid to maintain circuit continuity (Figure 4C). A line chattering module is hidden under the bedding and connects to the circuit generating chatters in the drainage (Figure 4D).…”

Transport and Retrieval on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Setup and Activities of an Immersive Transport and Retrieval on ECMO Workshop

“…Due to infection risks, the use of human or animal blood is not permitted, so instead a red coloring agent is added to distilled water but it does not allow for color differentiation of the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Although we have developed a prototype solution to realistically simulate blood oxygenation22 we do not use it during this workshop as it is not currently portable.Mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring, infusion pumps, vascular access devices, a nasogastric tube and a Foley catheter are attached and secured onto the patient simulator…”