Fusion IP plc (AIM: FIP), the university IP commercialisation company that turns world class research into business, is pleased to announce that MedaPhor, the Cardiff based ultrasound simulation company, has announced that University of Washington Medical Centre in Seattle is the first US hospital to install its revolutionary Scantrainer ultrasound simulation system.

ScanTrainer is a virtual 'real feel' ultrasound training simulator that provides students with a 24/7 educationally driven training programme that replicates the real scan experience. Trainees can literally 'feel' what they see on the computer screen in order to develop the complex mix of cognitive skills and eye-hand movement coordination; but without the need for an ultrasound machine, a patient and considerably reduced direct supervision by an expert. 

The University of Washington Medical Centre is one of North America's leading hospitals and the system has been installed in their Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies (ISIS). ISIS is a leading centre in the use of simulation technologies to improve the quality of health care education and improve patient safety and outcomes.

Dr Thomas J. Benedetti, M.D., M.H.A., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology said:

"We saw the Scan Trainer as breakthrough technology. It will allow us to come closer to our goal of having trainees acquire technical skills in a realistic simulated environment before performing them on patients. To date the acceptance and enthusiasm of the trainees and faculty has been very satisfying."

David Baynes, CEO of Fusion IP, commented:

"This is excellent news for MedaPhor. The US market for any medical related system is an important one and we are delighted that the University of Washington Medical Centre has chosen ScanTrainer for ISIS and that ISIS will be the first Institute in the US that will benefit from training all its practitioners with ScanTrainer's revolutionary simulator-based OBGYN training modules and case studies."