Description of the main lines of research:
The main lines of research of the Sim.Lab, are developed in the field of advanced technologies for clinical simulation, medical-surgical training and innovation of healthcare processes, with a strongly interdisciplinary approach.
Research activities are focused on the use of 3D printing for medical applications, aimed at the production of customized three-dimensional anatomical models, prototype devices and innovative solutions to support surgery, rehabilitation and training. These models are used both in the simulation laboratory as well as in the operating compartment, fostering a hands-on and patient-specific approach.
An additional line of research concerns Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR) and virtual simulation in the medical-surgical field, with particular reference to the development of operating rooms and immersive environments for surgical planning, advanced training and clinical risk reduction. In this context, the lab designs and implements virtual clinical scenarios, integrating digital anatomical and physical models derived from medical imaging (CT, MRI) for highly realistic hands-on exercises.
The laboratory also develops solutions for the integration of simulation with e-learning platforms, enabling hybrid training paths that combine digital learning, immersive simulation, and clinical practice, to support innovative teaching for students, residents, and healthcare personnel, and thanks to simulated operating rooms equipped with a control room, these activities become easily usable even remotely and from abroad, facilitating international teaching.
A strategic research area is dedicated to mechatronics for Hospital 4.0, with the development and integration of smart devices and sensor systems for monitoring, motion analysis and personalized rehabilitation. These solutions contribute to the improvement of physician perception, decision support, and optimization of therapeutic pathways.
The Movement Analysis and EMG Laboratory, born thanks to the collaboration between the Department of Medicine and Surgery (Prof Cosimo Costantino) and the Department of Engineering (Prof Gianluigi Ferrari) with the aim of planning innovative training, international cooperation agreements, internationalization actions. Clinical simulation equipment, optoelectronic and wearable systems for motion analysis, virtual reality and 3D printing enable the development of projects for biomedical companies, health care facilities, sports and manufacturing industries, public bodies and organizations interested in safety and ergonomics, technical and biomechanical analysis, device and algorithm validation, rapid prototyping, simulation of clinical and industrial processes, and specialized training programs. These infrastructures allow the integration of high-precision data collection, experimentation in a simulated environment, and technology validation by supervising the research activities of students from the Faculty of Engineering, Medicine and Medicine, the Physiotherapy degree course. as well as from the Specialization Schools in Orthopedics, Physics and Rehabilitation Medicine, This allows topics ranging from digital health to prevention, from medical simulation to occupational safety, from sports to industrial ergonomics to be addressed.
Finally, the lab promotes research activities oriented toward the intelligent society, through the application of artificial intelligence for clinical data analysis, advanced simulation, adaptation of training content and support of care processes, with the aim of contributing to the development of safer, more efficient and patient-centered healthcare systems, with a view to therapeutic continuity.
Description of the main methodologies applied:
Laboratory activities are based on the application of advanced simulation methodologies, aimed at the progressive and safe acquisition of clinical, technical and relational skills in a protected and controlled context. The methodological approach allows learning and testing of complex procedures prior to their application in the real-world context, reducing clinical risk and promoting continuous performance improvement.
Training is carried out through the integrated use of high and medium fidelity mannequins, dedicated simulators, specially designed electronic devices and simulated patients, as well as through interaction with virtual objects and environments. These tools make it possible to recreate highly realistic clinical scenarios, both in-person and remotely, in which invasive, critical or potentially risky maneuvers can be practiced in complete safety.
Methodologies applied include:
Macrosimulation, geared toward the overall management of the patient and complex clinical processes, including teamwork and decision making;
Microsimulation, focused on training of individual technical procedures and specific manuals;
Relational simulation, dedicated to the development of communication, behavioral and ethical skills, including through interaction with simulated patients;
Virtual simulation, based on immersive digital environments for clinical and surgical training;
Augmented reality, used for overlaying information content and digital models to the real-world context, to support learning and planning;
Integration of simulation with e-learning platforms, enabling blended training paths, combining digital theoretical content, simulated exercises and skills assessment.
The combination of these methodologies allows the student and the health professional to acquire technical skills, control skills, and operational awareness in a gradual, repeatable, and measurable manner, until a level of competence appropriate for application in real-world clinical practice is achieved.
Training activities are primarily aimed at students in the Medicine Degree Course, Specialization Schools, Health Professions Degree Courses, as well as University Masters and external training courses, ensuring a cross-curricular offering adaptable to different levels of training.
Description of the main equipment qualifying the activity carried out:
Director's Rooms - ETC Fusion Audio-Video Capture and Debriefing System;
Immersive Room - Nordic Environment Virtual Scenarios System
3D Bioprinting Room
Surgical Simulation Room
Motion Analysis Platform
RV stations equipped with 4 META QUEST 2 VISORS, DRSIM software and DRSIM EDITOR
SimMom, advanced full-body childbirth simulator: TECHNICAL BOARD
IUSim; Intrapartum Ultrasound Simulator: TECHNICAL BOARD
Sophie and herMum, Full Childbirth trainer; TECHNICAL BOARD
Arm for venous injection in the newborn; TECHNICAL BOARD
Trainer-for-Pediatric-Lumbar-Puncture; TECHNICAL BOARD
SimJunior Manikin; TECHNICAL SHEET
Advanced Adult Clinical Chloe Manikin
9 Manikins for PBLS: 3 Baby Anne, 3 Little Anne, 3 Little Junior; TECHNICAL SHEET
Thoracic for drainage; TECH SHEET
EndoVR-Advanced endoscopic training simulator for both bronchial and gastrointestinal sup.and inf. - VIDEO ; TECHNICAL SHEET
Simulator for Central Venous Catheterization
Simulator for Paracentesis
Trainer for female pelvic exam
Half-bust trainer for abdominal exam
Trainer for rectal and prostate exam
Nasogastric Probe Insertion and PEG Manikin
Radial Arterial Puncture Trainer
Another 22 Simulators for training the procedural and manual skills of the student of Medicine degree course, Health Professions degree courses, and postgraduate specialization courses.
Keywords for Laboratory description:
- Simulation-based Training, Research, Teaching, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, 3D Printing.
