3B Scientific SIMone™ Birthing Simulator - Manual (Page 2)

Every birth is different –
prepare yourself with 3B SIMone™
In case of foetal or maternal risk it is often essential to finish a birthing pro-
cess as quickly as possible. Other than Caesarean section, the only options
for supporting a physiological birth process by means of assisted vaginal
delivery are forceps delivery and vacuum extraction.
The high realism in training with SIMone™ is unique
• because the instruments are used together with application of the natural
force to guide the baby along the natural curve of the pelvic axis
• because the characteristic sounds due to the breathing and pain of the
mother as well as the foetal heartbeat make the situation very lifelike
Safety during instrument use
The simulator presents the haptics required in order to per-
form the instrument assisted delivery in a medically correct
manner: presentation data, placement of the forceps and
extraction, taking care of the head of the infant and the
maternal soft tissue. The monitoring software provides infor-
mation in interactive haptic response to the manipulation
of the foetal head in the context of force-feedback. The
speed and resistance shown during pulling correspond with
a real situation.
Simulate high stress
situations – with SIMone™
Forceps or Vacuum?
The application of the forceps is faster than a step-by-step increased
vacuum process. The use of forceps is simple and safe if the head is
located on the pelvic floor and the sagittal suture does not deviate more
than 45° from the straight diameter. Forceps permit active rotation and
are advantageous in the case of a deep transverse position. An advan-
tage of vacuum extraction is the ease of placement and therefore, the
lower likelihood of material trauma. It is also the instrument of choice
during delivery from the mid-pelvis. An excessively forced vacuum
extraction can lead to the disconnection of the vacuum cap and there-
fore strong intracranial-pressure fluctuations in the infant. If the cap
disconnects repeatedly, the infant must be delivered using forceps.
The 3B Scientific® birth simulator gives training in
• correct use of instruments in assisted vaginal delivery
• defining the position of the foetal head in relation to the
maternal pelvis
• management of birth complications by means of anamnesis,
findings and interventions
The birth simulator SIMone™ is a model of a female abdomen with a vulva and the ischial spines as landmarks. Inside the
model there is a foetal head with a sagittal suture and fontanelles. The monitor above the model displays an exact image of
the position and rotation of the foetal head within the maternal pelvis. Furthermore, the CTG and partogram, as well as
documentation (history, findings) and interventions, are displayed. Objective determination of the position of the foetal head
in relation to the maternal pelvis is now also possible. SIMone™ represents the complete clinical course including anamnesis,
diagnosis and intervention. A variety of delivery scenarios are presented and the cardiotocogram and partogram support the
assessment of the course of the delivery. The repositioning of the mother, the administration of medication and amniotomy
are all interventions that may be used in order to achieve the necessary progress during the delivery. In order for the physi-
cians that are carrying out the procedures to determine their level of proficiency, all the measures taken during the 'delivery'
can be reviewed afterwards. The internationality of mothers-to-be and the number of different scenarios are a true reflection
of the realities of the delivery room.
Lifelike training in vaginal-operative
extraction –
the patented birth simulator
from 3B Scientific
Training methodology conform to the target group
Even if the study content during the teaching of medical specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology includes assisted
deliveries, this does not guarantee that during their training, physicians will encounter all possible pathologies.
Therefore the better the delivery personnel are trained and the better they can perform in a routine sense, the fewer
complications will occur and the more difficult complications can be dealt with. After all, even experienced obstetri-
cians will sometimes encounter situations during deliveries that occur only rarely. SIMone™ is the first birth simulator
directed to the needs of medical personnel. As a training instrument, it provides various teaching methods.
Basic training
Basic training is oriented to model instruction in which
the trainer demonstrates each individual process, points
out possible errors and allows participants to carry out
the processes themselves using the simulator. In this way
the participant learns to work with the forceps and the
vacuum cup.
Problem Based learning (PBL)
A refresher and special-training course makes use of
problem-based learning and simulates what begins as a
normal process, during which problems subsequently
arise. Here, it is the task of the participant to react
quickly and correctly. After the training, participants
receive feedback and information on how to correct
errors as the simulator can be rewound to the time at
which the actions of the participant were below best
practice. For this type of teaching, SIMone™ offers a wide
range of possible deliveries.
Impressively displayed is the exact image of the position
and rotation of the foetal head within the maternal pel-
vis on the monitor next to the model
Unprogressive delivery despite the administration of oxytocin Tocolysis for foetal distress Forceps Extraction
Professional feedback
SIMone™ was tested and evaluated by more than 50 doctors
with experience in obstetrics. The majority of those questio-
ned (83.0%) stated that the simulator was very highly or
highly realistic. Almost all of the participating doctors
(96.1%) would recommend other doctors to use SIMone™ for
obstetric training to prepare for all sorts of complications
effectively.*
*Wulf J, Lüdemann C, Lukutin W, Burgkart R: Expert assessment of a
high-fidelity audio and force feedback birthing simulator: a question-
naire-based validation study. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Meeting
of the Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine;
University of Herfortshire, Hatfield, UK, 19-21 June 2008
Recognising the right moment
During the delivery scenario, the user of the simulator asses-
ses the course of the delivery and considers all the necessa-
ry measures, such as the recognising the correct moment for
a forceps delivery. In this context questions concerning indi-
cations and conditions are always decisive:
Are the forceps necessary? Are the forceps feasible?