CLIENT:
 Laerdal Medical

DATE:
July 2017 and ongoing

Delivery:
Advanced NX CAD design

NURSING ANNE SIMULATOR

The Nursing Anne Simulator is said to be the first nursing simulator to cover every aspect of modern nursing education.  Valuable information given from world leading academic medical communities has provided a foundation to this engaging and robust  training  platform. Nursing Anne enables nurses and other medical professionals to practice a broad specter of procedures. From basic examimation to advanced situations, the students can practice an impressive amount of cases with Nursing Anne.

Have a look at their webpage for more information on Nursing Anne → .

Since Laerdal are long time users of Siemens NX and Teamcenter, Miror have been engaged in contributing to this development, delivering advanced CAD geometry both for prototyping and manufacturing. Below we’ve summarized just a few of the cases we’ve taken part of over the course of 2 years. This includes desiging anatomical and mechanical components from scratch, or refining scanned geometry making it fit for downstream development and manufacturing.

Nursing Anne Simulator – Image courtesy of Laerdal Medical.

Project Overview

This assignment is done in tight collaboration with the amazing designers and engineers at the Texas department of Laerdal Medical, and our task is revolved around providing advanced CAD. Our client provides us with screenshots and a short description on the necessary steps, while we perfom the task in their Teamcenter (Siemens PLM system) environment using Siemens NX.

On one hand we deliver 3D components designed by scratch, with a predefined number of necessary specs. The requirements for these component does not only encompass the need for aesthetical smooth finishes, but also often having a number of mechanical requirements, not to mention being fit for manufacturing.

Secondly, we have also contributed in refining scanned geometry that holds a particularly challenging anatomical nature. This includes typically exterior components like skins, but it also forces geometric constraints to internal components that needs to fit to the skin model.

Below, we present a small selection of components that we helped design and refine for Laerdal Medical using Siemens NX.

Magnus at Miror is our go-to resource for the most complex surfacing & CAD projects.During the Nursing Anne project his skills, expertise, and speed were crucial in the development and delivery of the final product.Magnus takes the time to fully understand the challenges we present to him.He is quick to respond to requests and delivers in record time.

Ben Tedeschi / Senior Product Designer, Laerdal Medical

SKIN

The skin is a particularly challenging aspects in terms of traditional surface CAD work given the anatomical nature of the geometry. The base geometry is typically reverse engineered scanned geometry without any living parameters, and necessary changes often includes adjusting skin towards internal components, or preparing it for manufacturing purposes.

Some of the work done on the skin includes:

  1. Splitting model along draft line for manufacturing casting purposes
  2. Added belly button for anatomical exterior aesthetic reasons
  3. Cutout for hips, carefully considering movement of hips as well as mounting interface
  4. Removed eyebrows and adjusted eye to match underlying geometry

SKIN

The skin is a particularly challenging aspects in terms of traditional surface CAD work given the anatomical nature of the geometry. The base geometry is typically reverse engineered scanned geometry without any living parameters, and necessary changes often includes adjusting skin towards internal components, or preparing it for manufacturing purposes.

 

 

Some of the work done on the skin includes:

  1. Splitting model along draft line for manufacturing casting purposes
  2. Added belly button for anatomical exterior aesthetic reasons
  3. Cutout for hips, carefully considering movement of hips as well as mounting interface
  4. Removed eyebrows and adjusted eye to match underlying geometry

TORSO

1. TOP Rib Cage

The top rib cage (dark orange) were modeled mostly from scratch. A scan was provided, but due to inaccurate surfaces and mismatching shapes towards the side rib cage, it was decided to redesign this component.

First of all, the rib cage should withstand pressure due to simulated heart compression excercises and should stay horizontally positioned during the movement.

The hexagonal patterned hole clusters are positioned to fit speakers on the backside of the component.

2. Side Rib Cage

The side rib cage (skin colored component) was extended in height to fit the top rib cage.

Mechanical constraints in this part includes providing leeway for easy movement of the top ribcage.

Aesthetic requirements includes anatomical modeling, making sure that the side ribs meets up with the top rib pattern.

3. FLUID LINER

This part was modeled from scratch, and acts as a protection for fluid spilling. As the manikin holds multiple containers for fluids, it is crucial that important electronical parts are protected from potential spillings.

TORSO

1. TOP Rib Cage

The top rib cage (dark orange) were modeled mostly from scratch. A scan was provided, but due to inaccurate surfaces and mismatching shapes towards the side rib cage, it was decided to redesign this component.

First of all, the rib cage should withstand pressure due to simulated heart compression excercises and should stay horizontally positioned during the movement.

The hexagonal patterned hole clusters are positioned to fit speakers on the backside of the component.

2. Side Rib Cage

The side rib cage (skin colored component) was extended in height to fit the top rib cage.

Mechanical constraints in this part includes providing leeway for easy movement of the top ribcage.

Aesthetic requirements includes anatomical modeling, making sure that the side ribs meets up with the top rib pattern.

3. FLUID LINER

This part was modeled from scratch, and acts as a protection for fluid spilling. As the manikin holds multiple containers for fluids, it is crucial that important electronical parts are protected from potential spillings.

CRANIUM

One of the first geometry project we were brought into was the internal components of the skull part. Here we’ve contributed with both refining existing components, and designed some from scratch.

1. SKULL

The skull was a refining process, and it went through substantial changes around the eye sockets and the interface between the skull and the esaphagous.

2. EYE SOCKETS

This part has been through substantial changes around the eye sockets and the interface between the skull and the esaphagous.

One important constraint about this part is not only to fit it towards the outer skin and surrounding components, but also to provide space for the eyelids to blink effortlessly.

3. MANDIBLE

The mandible was designed from scratch and required a flush fit towards outer skin as well as the ability to effortlessly open the jaw.

Mandible

Side

Back

Top

Attached

CRANIUM

One of the first geometry project we were brought into was the internal components of the skull part. Here we’ve contributed with both refining existing components, and designed some from scratch.

1. SKULL

The skull was a refining process, and it went through substantial changes around the eye sockets and the interface between the skull and the esaphagous.

2. EYE SOCKETS

This part has been through substantial changes around the eye sockets and the interface between the skull and the esaphagous.

One important constraint about this part is not only to fit it towards the outer skin and surrounding components, but also to provide space for the eyelids to blink effortlessly.

3. MANDIBLE

The mandible was designed from scratch and required a flush fit towards outer skin as well as the ability to effortlessly open the jaw.

ARM

1. ARM MECHANICAL

In The arm, we’ve optimized the elbow joint, as the existing joint had some inaccurate surfacing, as well as movement issues due to a combination of old legacy data and new models.

We also optimized the shoulder joint to provide smoother and better movement of the arm.

2. ARM SKIN

Based on the arm, we modeled the skin cover with a snug fit, while preserving the necessary movement functionality.

ARM

1. ARM MECHANICAL

In The arm, we’ve optimized the elbow joint, as the existing joint had some inaccurate surfacing, as well as movement issues due to a combination of old legacy data and new models.

We also optimized the shoulder joint to provide smoother and better movement of the arm.

2. ARM SKIN

Based on the arm, we modeled the skin cover with a snug fit, while preserving the necessary movement functionality.

PROTOTYPING

To keep a concise communication, photos of the prototyping stages were provided during the development phase, keeping it clear on what works and what doesn’t. Below follows a small selection provided to us by Laerdal Medical on components we helped design or refine for both aesthetic and manufacturing purposes.

FINAL PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION

Lastly, here follows a demonstration of Nursing Anne and all it’s capabilities. Video courtesty of Laerdal Medical.

PROTOTYPING

To keep a concise communication, photos of the prototyping stages were provided during the development phase, keeping it clear on what works and what doesn’t. Below follows a small selection provided to us by Laerdal Medical on components we helped design or refine for both aesthetic and manufacturing purposes.

FINAL PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION

Lastly, here follows a demonstration of Nursing Anne and all it’s capabilities. Video courtesty of Laerdal Medical.

Want more?

If you’re interested in knowing more about this product, please visit Laerdal Global Health – Mama Birthie for more information.

The Nursing Anne Simulator from Laerdal Medical is said to be the first nursing simulator to cover every aspect of modern nursing education. Since Laerdal Medical are long time users of Siemens NX and Teamcenter, Miror have been engaged in contributing in the development of Nursing Anne for the last two years.

Tags: Advanced CAD / CAD / Engineering / modeling / NX CAD / surface