WASHINGTON and ZURICH, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, America's leading professional organization in reproductive medicine and infertility, and VirtaMed, the world's leader in building customized virtual reality simulation devices for medicine, are pleased to announce the development of a simulator for training in ultrasound -guided and -unguided embryo transfer in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).
Embryo transfer and IUI are two of the most important techniques used for infertility care, and like any medical technique, require training and practice to master. Until now there has not been a high tech, virtual reality training modality available to health care providers learning these techniques. The ASRM embryo transfer simulator will provide a new and unique approach to teaching practitioners. Based on a pelvic model platform, this virtual reality simulator starts with the fundamentals of embryo transfer in simple cases, and then provides proper training in more challenging conditions such as cervical and uterine abnormalities.
"The evidence is clear that simulation is the best training modality for new physicians. Embryo transfer is an absolutely foundational part of modern infertility treatment. With the development of a virtual reality simulator for embryo transfer, we are bringing an outstanding training tool to bear on one of the most vital procedures in the field," said Owen Davis, MD, President-elect of ASRM.
Experts from ASRM and VirtaMed are using a combination of surveys and working with experienced, specialized physicians to analyze the procedure and develop a universal protocol for use in training practitioners. ASRM's goal is to make the simulator available around the world as soon as possible.
The team at VirtaMed is recognized as experts in building leading technology for virtual reality medical simulation. Still, this project adds an interesting and new aspect to their portfolio: "We feel this is yet another opportunity to assist gynecological specialists in improving their quality of patient care," says Kelly Dycus, Simulation Education Specialist at VirtaMed. "It is our first simulation project incorporating ultrasound. Once more, we are very excited to evolve our latest research to a useful and highly needed real world application in such a short time."
"VirtaMed is the world's leading company in developing virtual reality training devices in medicine. They already have a successful history of producing simulators for other techniques in reproductive medicine. We feel confident that their expertise in training devices and our expertise in infertility care will combine to make a terrific product. A product whose use will improve patient care," said Rebecca Sokol, MD, MPH, ASRM President.
ASRM and VirtaMed will debut the device at the ASRM Annual Meeting October 19 in Baltimore.
About ASRM
ASRM is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of reproductive medicine. The Society accomplishes its mission through the pursuit of excellence in education and research and through advocacy on behalf of patients, physicians, and affiliated health care providers. The Society is committed to facilitating and sponsoring educational activities for the lay public and continuing medical education activities for professionals who are engaged in the practice of and research in reproductive medicine. ASRM has more than 8,000 members in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.asrm.org.
About VirtaMed
VirtaMed is a Swiss company with an interdisciplinary background in medicine and engineering. VirtaMed's mission is to develop state-of-the-art training tools for endoscopic surgery of highest possible realism, all with the ultimate goal to improve the quality of patient care.
VirtaMed's virtual reality simulators provide instructional teaching and training of different diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic interventions. The simulator family includes HystSim™ for hysteroscopic interventions, UroSim™ for prostate resection and bladder tumors, ArthroS™ for knee and shoulder arthroscopy and PelvicSim™ for IUD insertion and hysteroscopy.
Teaching institutions and medical device companies use VirtaMed's simulators globally for education and hands-on training. For more information on upcoming events and demo opportunities please visit www.virtamed.com.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150406/196845LOGO
SOURCE ASRM
Related Links
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article