SynDaver, the company known for synthetic human and animal simulators for education, medical testing, and training, has a new synthetic feline surgical training model, which has been designed for use in veterinary colleges. The feline surgical model allows veterinary students to learn how to perform a spay on a synthetic cat as opposed to a live patient.
SynDaver’s synthetic surgical trainers are superior training devices to cadavers because they mimic living tissue. The SynDaver synthetic tissue is not silicone or plastic, so it maintains the fidelity and life-like properties of live tissue.
The first SynDaver Feline, called CopyCat, was primarily used to teach anatomy at large schools and universities worldwide, including Cornell University.
Galina Hayes, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, DACVS, DACVECC associate professor of small animal surgery at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, anticipates the surgical model will have a significant impact on students and the surgical community as a whole.
“Our students have had the privilege to train on the canine surgical models previously, and we couldn’t be happier. However, the newest feline surgical model gives them the opportunity to perform the feline spay, which is a benchmark in their surgical skills acquisition. The simulator allows them to practice in a highly realistic model where they can repeat as often as necessary, get comfortable with the tools required and have no fear of failure or harm to a patient. . . . This is a huge leap forward for us in achieving high quality learning and retention of surgical skills.”
