Enthusiasm and vigorous interest greeted Simbionix staff and three simulators at The Digestive Disease Week Exhibition, May 20 - 23, in Atlanta, GA.

Simbionix exhibited two GI Mentor™ simulators at the Wilson-Cook Booth and a third at the ASGE Learning Center during the DDW Exhibition last month. Both an animal and mechanical simulator and tens of video movies joined the simulator in the Learning Center, but the star of the center was undoubtedly the GI Mentor™.

Simbionix exhibited two GI Mentor™ simulators at the Wilson-Cook Booth and a third at the ASGE Learning Center during the DDW Exhibition last month. Both an animal and mechanical simulator and tens of video movies joined the simulator in the Learning Center, but the star of the center was undoubtedly the GI Mentor™. The virtual patient didn't have a moment's respite from enthusiastic trainees and specialists who gathered to try their hands at one of the 70 cases currently available on the simulator.

The new Second Module for ERCP, which was introduced at the exhibition, generated the most excitement. Physicians who had previously worked with cases from the First Module for ERCP were pleased with the new features and excellent imaging achieved with the new module. The most frequently asked question by trainees and specialists alike who tried out the simulator was, where could they go to practice on the simulator. (Contact one of our account managers for an installation near you.)

At the Wilson-Cook booth doctors stood in line to work on the two simulators, and to have a preview of a new module in the works at Simbionix, Endoscopic Ultrasound. During several intervals throughout the exhibition we displayed images, which showed the feasibility of EUS simulation for training. The responses were more than enthusiastic, and we invite you to join our mailing list (click on newsletter) for ongoing updates on this and other news at Simbionix.

Simbionix representatives were on hand throughout the exhibition to introduce doctors to the world of endoscopic simulation and to record both their compliments and critiques. We are continuing to operate according to our policy of gratefully incorporating feedback from medical specialists in the development and improvement of our simulators and modules.
Throughout the 4-day exhibition our representatives met with scores of physicians to discuss the use of simulators for endoscopic training and their place within the overall training program. More and more we are witnessing the growing interest in computerized medical training simulators as integral to endoscopic training programs.

Among the meetings that Simbionix conducted during the exhibition, was a discussion with a large training organization, which is investigating the establishment of an additional 20 training centers in the USA that will incorporate the GI Mentor in their training programs. As the number and variety of modules available for use with the simulator grows, there is an increasing recognition of the value of training on the GI Mentor prior to working on actual patients.

One of the most rewarding forms of feedback generated at the exhibition was the interest among medical specialists and opinion leaders to work together with Simbionix on the development of new cases for the simulator. We are grateful to the many physicians around the world who have contributed both cases and feedback to the process of building our current library of over 70 cases. And we look forward to continuing our collaboration with current and additional experts in the various areas of specialization.

The Simbionix GI Mentor was exhibited at the Japan Gastro Endoscopy Society (JGES) Convention in Kobe, Japan, May 10 - 12.

Mr. Sagi Nahum, Simbionix' Asia and Pacific Rim Account Manager, joined our distributor in Japan, Medico's Hirata, at the JGES Convention in Kobe, where they exhibited their GI Mentor simulator. Throughout the 3-day event physicians surrounded the simulator that was on display for hands-on demonstrations.

The simulator generated a great deal of interest among the doctors at the convention, and they were able to experience first hand work on one of the cases. The representatives from Medicos Hirata were well acquainted with the simulator and the cases, and encouraged visitors to try out the First Module for ERCP and The Emergency Bleeding Modules keeping the GI Mentor busy nonstop.

March 15, 2001: Simbionix will Preview their newest computerized endoscopic simulator, the URO Mentor, a simulator for endourology procedures, at the European Association for Urology, April 7 - 10, 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Simbionix Ltd. Will attend the XVI Congress of the European Association for Urology, which will take place in April, in Geneva, and exhibit their new simulator product, the URO Mentor. The exhibition, will serve as a preview to the Launch of the URO Mentor in June at the AUA Convention.

The importance of a realistic medical training simulator in the field of endourology derives from the fact that procedures require a high level of skill involving hand/eye coordination and familiarity with the scopes and tools, and that learning these skills may require the performance of many such procedures to gain proficiency.

Initial reactions to the new endourology simulator have been enthusiastic. Physicians who have had the opportunity to work with the URO Mentor in a number of locations in Europe and the US, believe that the simulator can be instrumental in providing effective medical training for endourology procedures, in reducing costs related to both instructor time and equipment, and in reducing patient risk.

The company invites participants to try a hands-on demonstration of the URO Mentor at one of two locations during the exhibition: The Technological Garden (booth #4421) and The Cook Urology Booth #4321. In addition, Prof. Jean de La Rosette, Director Center for Minimal Invasive Urology, University Medical Center St Radboud, the Netherlands, will be giving a presentation of the simulator at one of the sessions of the conference and Dr. Luna will be performing a live demonstration, which will take place on the 10th of April at 1:00pm.

January 23, 2001 - Simbionix will demonstrate the GI Mentor, its new MIS simulator for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy at the MMVR 2001 Conference.

Simbionix, together with strategic partner Ascension Technology Corporation, will demonstrate the GI Mentor gastrointestinal endoscopy simulator at the Medicine Meets Virtual Reality 2001 Conference in Newport Beach, California, January 24 - 27, 2001.

Simbionix, located near Tel Aviv, Israel, introduced the GI Mentor, its first simulator aimed at training physicians in GI endoscopy. The system, which gives users the "look and feel" of an actual procedure performed on a real patient, has already been placed at the Cleveland Clinic, Bellevue Hospital, London's Royal College of Surgeons and several top continental European teaching hospitals where it is receiving high marks. Total sales of the simulator have topped the $1M mark since its introduction in February, 2000.

The Simbionix GI Mentor is an interactive computerized simulator, designed to provide medical experts with hands-on training for endoscopic procedures. The system uses a specially designed mannequin and a computer simulation program, offering Trainees a unique opportunity to learn and practice required techniques.

The appearance of the GI tract is developed from videotaped real endoscopic procedures. The computer stores information related to the movement of the endoscope from the beginning of the procedure, which permits both global and local deformity (i.e., a change in either the entire configuration of the GI tract due to the insertion of the endoscope or the GI wall due to local pressure by an endoscope or tools). The information about the location of the endoscope is transmitted from sensors, provided by Ascension Technology, located at the tip of the endoscope. The sensation of resistance encountered (force-feedback) during the passage of the endoscope is based on both the motion of the endoscope in the model and the characteristics of the GI tract.

The Simbionix simulator, which allows diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, is contained in a human-sized mannequin using a special but authentic Pentax endoscope. Steering and torque of the endoscope is possible, as in a real-life situation, and suction and inflation buttons are also present. The simulator includes upper and lower GI cases with gradual increases in the difficulty of performance. Cases for biopsies and polypectomies already exist, as do additional modules for ERCP and Emergency Bleeding. During ERCP the trainees can position the endoscope in front of the papilla and cannulate both the pancreatic duct and the biliary system. Sphincterotomy is also possible. Experts who used this simulator believed it to be useful for training and that it should be integrated into their training program.

The company is currently nearing completion of the development of their second simulator, the URO Mentor, which is designed to provide medical experts with a comprehensive learning tool with which to become better acquainted with both the lower urinary tract and upper urinary collecting system. Simbionix expects to begin sales of the URO Mentor in the middle of 2001.

The Simbionix URO Mentor introduces a new generation mannequin equipped with a special haptic device, providing trainees with an unparalleled true-to-life sensation while training for diagnostic and therapeutic endourological procedures. One of the great advantages of the system is the clear picture it affords the trainee at every stage of the endoscopic procedure by giving complete and realistic three-dimensional simulation of the anatomy of the urinary system.

The company invites interested parties to visit the Ascension Technology booth at MMVR 2001, and enjoy a hands-on experience in virtual reality performing MIS with the GI Mentor Simulator.

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