VCath – aplicatia pentru iPad care ajuta studentii neurochirurgi sa introduca corect un cateter in creier

  VCath este o aplicatie pentru iPad dezvoltata de catre universitatea Bangor din Marea Britanie, iar scopul ei este de a ajunta viitorii neurochirurgi sa introduca un cateter intr-un creier virtual. Procedura medicala se numeste cateterizare ventriculara si ea presupune introducerea unui ac in interiorul creierului pentru a drena fluidul ce se aduna in ventriculele acestuia. Aplicatia a fost gandita in ideea de a ajuta studentii sa invete cum trebuie facuta corect aceasta procedura, astfel incat in momentul in care trebuie sa o faca efectiv, vor avea o vaga idee in legatura cu ea.

VCath is a surgical education tool for cannulating the lateral ventricles, designed specifically for tablet devices. Its aim is to guide a neurosurgical trainee through the steps of positioning and inserting a catheter into the brain of a 3D virtual patient.  One skill that trainees in neurosurgery need to gain early in their training is an appreciation of the ventricular system in the brain, and how to cannulate it in an emergency. The flow of cerebrospinal fluid can be obstructed in the ventricles by many pathological processes leading to a dangerous condition known as hydrocephalus. The pressure within the ventricles can rise leading to loss of consciousness. The ventricular system can be cannulated in the operating theatre, fluid drained and the potentially lethal rise in pressure relieved. This procedure is a commonly performed in neurosurgical departments.

  In mare VCath este o noua dovada excelenta a modului in care tabletele pot fi utilizate in scopuri educationale, in ultimii ani tot mai multi dezvoltatori de aplicatii profitand de acest lucru pentru a aduce pe piata sisteme care ajuta zilnic elevii si studentii. Aplicatia este disponibila gratuit in App Store, asa ca o puteti descarca/incerca si voi.