Collaboration Between Simbionix And 1st MSMU To Integrate A Russian Developed Assessment System To Enhance Laparoscopic Training

CLEVELAND, Dec. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Simbionix USA Corporation, the world's leading provider of medical education and simulation training is pleased to announce having signed a collaboration agreement with I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (1^st MSMU), the leading national medical higher educational institution in the Russian Federation.

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Over the past few years, MSMU has developed and validated a comprehensive assessment and credentialing system based on the performance of tasks and cases on the Simbionix LAP Mentor™, the gold standard training simulator for laparoscopic procedures. Simbionix and MSMU will work together to provide a Russian-made clinical assessment tool to enhance the LAP Mentor capabilities for the Russian market.

According to the agreement, Simbionix will develop the infrastructures to enable the integration of MSMU's scoring system into Simbionix MentorLearn™. MentorLearn™ is a web based Simulator Curricula Management System, providing the optimal solution for managing training and education needs for the Simbionix line of simulators. The integration will enable automization of the training and assessment, and will facilitate the incorporation of the LAP Mentor laparoscopic simulator into a comprehensive curriculum.

Dr. Shubina, the Head of Continuous Professional Educational Center at 1st MSMU noted: "We created a unique course for basic skills in laparoscopic surgery based on mastering manual skills on the LAP Mentor simulator. The distinctive course feature is an objective scoring system, based on the simulator's statistic data output. Most of the surgeons that worked on the simulators noted an increase in manual skills during the work with laparoscopic instruments. Simbionix simulators also have been repeatedly used in the nationwide medical competitions. Students who participated in the competitions and the competitions' executives also noted that exercises on the simulators provide an accurate and objective skills' assessment. Thus, we can recommend Simbionix simulators for usage in medical training centers around the country."

Gary Zamler, Simbionix CEO, said "We are pleased that MSMU chose the Simbionix LAP Mentor for this initiative. The unique collaboration combines Russian medical and clinical know-how with Simbionix innovative technology. It is expected that this will advance the standardization of medical training and curricula in the Russian Federation, which will enhance the quality of professional healthcare education. As a global company that invests in localization of solutions and adaptation of products and services to local needs, Simbionix is very excited about the opportunity to work closely with this advancing market."

Simbionix USA Corporation is the world's leading provider of simulation, training and education products for medical professionals and the healthcare industry. The company is committed to delivering high quality products, advancing clinical performance and optimizing procedural outcomes.

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Contact: Rebecca Levy, Manager of Marketing Communications, at rebecca@simbionix.com