Prof. Dr. Sven Maier, Andreas Dietz, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kallmann and Cora Galm
New cardiopulmonary machine machine at Furtwangen University
“During heart surgery, the patient's life depends on the cardiopulmonary machine, which takes over the function of the lungs and heart,” says Prof. Dr. Sven Maier from Furtwangen University (HFU). A few weeks ago, a new cardiopulmonary machine was installed in the Cardiology Laboratory on the Schwenningen campus. This allows Maier to teach his students in the “Internal link opens in the same window:Medical Engineering – Clinical Technologies” programme, specialising in surgical engineering/cardiology technology, about the process of heart surgery. An “artificial patient” is available so that students can practice as realistically as possible during their internships. The simulator, which was developed in-house, has an artificial blood circulation system to which the cardiopulmonary machine can be connected. The simulator was developed and is operated by Andreas Dietz, the Technical Director of the Cardiotechnology Laboratory.
"The cardiopulmonary machine performs many tasks simultaneously and keeps a log of them. During heart surgery, the heart must be stopped and even opened when heart valves are inserted. In addition, the artificial lung, the oxygenator, enriches the blood with oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide. This allows blood flow, oxygen content, blood temperature and other values to be precisely adjusted − all of which is the job of the cardiac technicians," explains Maier.
"In the fourth semester, students learn about the heart surgery procedure and how to operate the machine in two internships at the university. In the subsequent practical semester in clinics, they can apply what they have learned under supervision with real patients. The sixth semester then focuses on practice and dealing with possible incidents," explains Cora Galm, programme coordinator for the Medical Engineering – Clinical Technologies programme.
“With the new model, we can prepare our students even better for the reality of the operating room. Nevertheless, we also teach on our older machines, as these are still in use in hospitals,“ explains Prof. Maier. ”In the specialisation, students receive an additional certificate upon graduation, which allows them to work throughout Europe as cardiac technicians, also known as perfusionists.”
The cardiopulmonary machine is worth €350,000 and is on permanent loan to HFU from the manufacturer Liva Nova in Munich. “I am delighted that HFU's intensive cooperation with industry partners enables students to learn using the latest technology,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kallmann, Dean of Faculty II: Engineering & Technology.