In the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Florida, we have developed several educational software packages and interactive, Web-based teaching software.
Enjoy!

Interactive Teaching Software

Interactive, Web-based, educational simulation of an anesthesia machine

Sem Lampotang, Walter Dobbins, Michael L Good, Nikolaus Gravenstein, Dietrich Gravenstein
(Abstract: Interactive, Web-based, educational simulation of an anesthesia machine.)

We implemented an interactive, Web-based simulation of the flow of oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and volatile anesthetics in an anesthesia machine to help our residents learn how an anesthesia machine functions. The simulation is implemented using Director 7.0, a multi-media authoring software package for producing Web-based animations. Using the Shockwave player, the animation can be viewed. (Go to the Animation)

Hydraulic analog for simultaneous representation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: Application to vecuronium.

Eric Nikkelen, MSEE, Willem L. van Meurs, PhD, and Maria A.K. Öhrn, MD

We implemented a simulation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vecuronium. In this hydraulic analog, fluid delivered into a central reservoir is representative of drug infusion, and the heights of the fluid columns in the central and peripheral reservoirs are representative of the drug concentrations in the corresponding pharmacologic compartments. The height of the fluid column in an 'effect reservoir' is representative of the apparent effect site concentration in a simultaneous pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model. A non-linear scale on the effect reservoir represents the relationship between the effect site concentration and the clinical effect. Reservoir surface areas are equivalent to volumes of distribution and hydraulic resistances are inversely proportional to drug clearances.

Go to the simulation

TEECHER^TM

Euliano TL, de Hair PM, Good ML, Paulus DA, Gravenstein JS

The Transesophageal Esophageal Echocardiography Curriculum with Hands on Exercise and Review (TEECHER) is an interactive software package designed to introduce the beginning echocardiographer to the basic fundamentals of ultrasound and to the cardiac structures seen in standard single-plane transverse TEE. There are five sections: (1) pertinent anatomy, (2) basics of ultrasound, (3) pathophysiology, (4) instrument operation, and (5) management exercises. The software utilizes both graphical cartoons and actual digitized TEE images to help learners understand TEE technology and imaging procedures.

Requirements: a 486 or better computer (Sorry, No Mac version) with at least 8Mb of memory. At least 30Mb of free disk space. Not all this diskspace will be used permanently, but it needs to be available during installation. You can use Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, but a setup of 256 colors or better is required.

Download here!

Preview a screen from TEECHER

RELAX

Ohrn MA, van Oostrom JH, van Meurs WL
(Paper: A comparison of traditional textbook and interactive computer learning of neuromuscular block.)

The educational software package RELAX is designed to teach concepts about the pharmacology and clinical management of neuromuscular blockade. The software uses an interactive, problem-based approach and moves the user through cases in an operating room environment. Users prescribe specific neuromuscular blocking agent depending on the selected patient and indicated surgical procedure, then observe the clinical consequences. Additional feedback and review are provided with text and motion video.