Invented and developed by civilian orthopaedic major trauma
surgeon Professor Ian Pallister, the Surgical Advanced Mannequin
(SAM model) is a world-leading training simulation model which
can be inserted with different injury patterns such as blast
wounds and gunshots. It can also ‘breathe’ and be pumped with
‘blood’ to simulate bleeding.
The innovative mannequin, refined over a ten-year development
period, has enabled Armed Forces medical teams to participate in
a highly realistic level of training on a clinical exercise run
by the Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC).
Earlier versions of the SAM model have also been used to train
Ukrainian military surgeons.
Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families,
, who is a doctor in the
Reserves, said:
These world-class training models are an excellent demonstration
of the type of innovative equipment produced by UK defence and
our industry partners. They play a vital part in delivering
cutting-edge training to both our Ukrainian allies and our
exemplary military medical and surgical teams in the UK, helping
to ensure they continue to be the very best at what they do.
Professor Pallister developed the SAM model using CT scans and
3D-printed masters of specific wounds such as a gunshot or pelvic
injury. His latest version of the model can be intubated, have
dead ‘tissue’ removed, and be used for exploratory surgery.
Professor Ian Pallister said:
SAM models, which have been taken on board Royal Navy ships and
deployed in land environments, are the product of years of
constant redesign and redevelopment and these evolving
innovations would not have been possible without the close
cooperation of Defence Medical Service colleagues and the Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory.
Clinical Adviser for Deployed Hospital Care, Army Medical
Services Training, Colonel Jonny Round said:
Traditionally at AMSTC, we’ve used a live casualty actor with
some make-up to deliver a list of symptoms and injuries.
Professor Pallister’s model simulates, very realistically, combat
wounds requiring surgical intervention.
The surgeons get to operate, and the entire team train, in a
field hospital that replicates the one they will find themselves
deployed to. We are immensely proud that through this training we
can deliver world-class medical teams to operations.
