• Simulator
• Pneumothorax
• Newborn
• Neonate

PNEUMOTHORAX (PTX) is the presence of air in the pleural space, which causes a partial or complete collapse of the lung. Such collapse can lead to major clinical complications including death.
Commercial solutions and research prototypes are currently available. Commercial simulators provide a poor simulation of the PTX, reduced to an empty area beyond a dedicated access site, i.e. usually are placed in the wrong intercostal space. The research prototypes describe low-fidelity simulators and they present the same drawbacks of commercial simulators.
Aim of this work, is the design, realization and preliminary assessment of a high-fidelity neonatal pneumothorax simulator that reproduces both the correct anatomy of the newborn' s chest and the PTX physiology. Chest tension is actively obtained through ad-hoc designed hardware and software components. The syringe plunger return feedback is reproduced by two pressurized airtight chambers. Finally, the simulator has two needle insertion areas in the third right and left ISs that provide the physiological tissue perforation feedback to the physician. Insertion areas were made with two self-sealing and replaceable pads for theoretically unlimited use of the device.
Preliminary results confirmed the simulator as a valid technological solution for high-fidelity training course for neonatologists and paediatric residents. Future efforts will be dedicated to carry out specific protocol for system validation. A comparison of the obtained results with that one reachable with other commercial PTX simulators could be also interesting for validating the proposed model.