Advanced Thermochromic Ink System for Medical Blood Simulation

Abstract

Simulators for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have problems of bulky devices and low-fidelity methodologies. Hence, ongoing efforts for optimizing modern solutions focus on minimizing expenses and blending training with the intensive care unit. This is particularly evident following the coronavirus pandemic, where economic resources have been extensively cut. In this paper, as a part of an ECMO simulator for training management, an advance thermochromic ink system for medical blood simulation is presented. The system was developed and enhanced as a prototype with successful and reversible transitions between dark and bright red blood color to simulate blood oxygenation and deoxygenation in ECMO training sessions.

IoT‐based mock oxygenator for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation simulator

“…Thermochromic ink is a substance with a particular chemical composition that allows it to change color in response to thermal changes. The fluid in several parts of the ECMO circuit is periodically heated and cooled via a heater‐cooler unit, as in the work by Al Disi et al, 5 Noorizadeh et al, 11 Alsalemi et al, 17 altering its color intensity from light to dark red, emulating blood oxygenation and deoxygenation receptively. A line chattering module is concealed beneath the bed and links to the circuit that causes chattering in the drainage.…”

“…The introduction of thermochromic ink for ECMO simulation has started a new era for ECMO SBT, 5,11,12 enabling the development of affordable means of replicating the ECMO experience using electronics, sensors, pumps, valves, and tubing. Henceforth, the concept of the replicated oxygenator does not mimic the gas exchange process of "cleaning" deoxygenated blood but replicates the results of that process using physical fidelity, 4 which means that the trainee will notice that when dark deoxygenated blood is drawn into the replicated oxygenator, it will be bright, and oxygenated blood will be drawn out as if a real gas exchange is taking place.…”

Challenges in the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Era

“…The need to improve simulation and training in the ECMO field was also investigated in this article series, which includes the description [19] of development of a modular ECMO simulator to enhance the training process, and the development of an advanced thermochromic ink system for medical blood simulation [20].…”