Cardiac surgery and Critical Care Life Support are inherently high-risk settings that carry the potential for serious adverse events. Successful treatment of critically ill patients requires rigorous training and experience not only to understand and manage the underlying diseases coupled with ever-changing physiology but also to perform the various complex procedures required for patient care. The goal of simulation-based training is to reduce the frequency of patient incidents and near misses by ensuring that clinicians are prepared, proficient and confident in their ability to navigate through these complexities.  Biomed Simulation is at the forefront of revolutionizing high-fidelity training for Cardiothoracic and Critical Care clinicians through cutting-edge AR and VR simulations that are based on physiologic changes at every step of the procedure.

Their unique advantage lies in their commitment to align simulation scenarios seamlessly with real-life operating room and critical care situations. By doing so, they empower healthcare professionals to bridge the gap between theory and practice with unparalleled precision.  Competency improvement and increased proficiency represent significant cost and liability risk-reduction for health care facilities. This is where Biomed Simulation is creating an impact with its products, training, assessment and investment in innovative solutions. Califiaä is a unique (one-of-its-kind) product that redefines the future of cardiac surgery and critical care training through cutting-edge virtual reality technology. “We stand as a pioneer in the field, surpassing our competitors with innovative solutions that elevate the standard of medical education. Our commitment to revolutionizing the way medical professionals learn, practice, and refine their skills sets us apart from competitors who have attempted to lead in this segment,” as stated by Dr.Richard Tallman, Founder and CEO, Biomed Simulation.

In the virtual learning environment, Biomed Simulation is developing solutions combined with game-based incentives that will provide a spectrum of OR and ICU patient scenarios.

This idea of building a simulator for perfusionists and cardiac surgeons evolved from the need to move away from animal labs where cardiac skills and physiology were studied.  In 2006, Richard Tallman, PhD applied for an NIH grant to build a first-of-it’s kind simulator for cardiac perfusion, but unfortunately, the grant was not funded. Concurrently, the arrival of a competitive simulator (the Orpheus Perfusion Simulator – Ulco Technologies, Marrickville, NSW, Australia) opened up the landscape for simulation based training and was a catalyst for Tallman to build a better product.

Over the years, using personal investment, Tallman developed a prototype which garnered significant interest from several cardiac surgery perfusion schools.   With time on his hands (his wife’s job relocated them to  San Diego), he began experimenting and gathering feedback from his broad network of clinical educators. The advice allowed him to make significant improvements to the simulator that significantly differentiated his product from the predicate, hydraulic-driven Orpheus simulator.  In 2011 Biomed Simulation formalized as a company.  Tallman was granted working space from the Cyth Company in San Diego and the first Califiaä  was sold in British Columbia in 2012/13. 

There have been few changes to the mechanical components of Califiaä since its development because the software is the primary driver of the device.  The proprietary software is unique because it models the  patient’s physiological responses, requiring the user to respond and manage. Other simulators are heavy on the haptics and technical skills of the user, but Califiaä requires the user to think about the acute changes that are occurring in the patient physiology and to respond appropriately. “One of our challenges is that we’re simulating a human being so it’s hard to cut corners.  We are connected to sophisticated equipment so we need to constantly make this product easy to use so that we don’t create a steep learning curve.  We continue to evolve and improve the user interface as simplification and expansion of procedure types are essential to product growth and enhancement,” points Tallman. 

Simulation based training provides a safe and low-risk learning platform for repetitive practice and fosters the teamwork that is critical for safe operations and procedures.  This teamwork training can improve communication and coordination, reducing the risk of errors during surgery.

Today, Biomed Simulation is on a mission to enhance the training, competence, and proficiency of intensive care specialists, perfusionists and cardiac surgeons. With its real-life algorithms, embedded in the flagship training device, Califiaä, Biomed is dedicated to providing simulations in an AR learning environment that to-date has raised the competencies of front-line professionals in over 170 medical centers in 20 countries worldwide. Unlike traditional classroom didactic learning, the Biomed simulations and scenarios create an immersive high-fidelity learning experience. “We plan to continue our investments in global expansion, in R&D for on-demand learning capabilities, and in forging alliances with companies who share our passion for the power of simulation education.  Our vision is to reach medical centers throughout the world, in both developed and developing countries alike, with virtual learning products that will be transformative in heart and lung critical care,” concludes Tallman.