Extron NAV helps in the formative simulation of nursing students

In the new building of the Thompson Rivers University a pilot installation has been carried out that includes a system Extron NAV AVoIP, for signal distribution, and a Pro Series Control System, programmed using the Global Scripter, a Python-based development environment.

When the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) determined they needed more space to expand their nursing program, decided to build a new building equipped with innovative learning tools. A multidisciplinary building in which a pilot installation based on technology has been launched Extron NAV AVoIP.

The result was the Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health (NPH), which is located on its campus in Kamloops (British Columbia – Canada). Opened in September 2020, has allowed the School of Nursing to triple its space and be able to support the expansion of external medical graduate programs, as well as the training of firefighters.

With their 4.552 square meters, this multidisciplinary building consists of laboratories, Classrooms, research rooms and collaborative study spaces. An environment that celebrates innovation and excellence in health care education.

Patient simulation laboratories are equipped with innovative technology that reproduces the work environments of a variety of hospitals and laboratories. Reflect real healthcare situations to better prepare students, with a view to the labour market.

In addition to the AV presentation system and wireless functionality in each training and meeting space, the TRU required a complete transport system, that was able to distribute HDMI and audio signals throughout the building.

A priority was integration and compatibility with current and future teaching equipment and systems..

The TRU worked with McSquared System Design Group to create a fully functional test installation. The pilot installation and systems developed included an AV over IP NAV system, for signal distribution, and a Pro Series Control System, programmed using the Global Scripter, an Extron development environment based on Python.

In PoC design (proof of concept) multiple rooms and floors were included, as a training laboratory with double station simulation, an adjacent double station control room, two additional classes and two information rooms. Each room included between one and six professional display devices, depending on the function of the space.

The two stations of the laboratory were fully functional and provided all the specialized equipment that is used in medical training scenarios according to the modality.

Each station included a CAE patient simulator, which is a robotic mannequin with integrated technologies to mimic diseases and realistic responses to medical procedures that are controlled by the instructor.

The first station was a hi-fi unit, with multiple PTZ cameras, content entries, professional display devices, Microphones Shure, a ceiling speaker, a learning management system, one for personal supervision and one for augmented/mixed reality.

Sessions are archived using a dedicated medical training capture system, capable of recording and playback of content from up to five different channels. The station also provided the audio capabilities needed for standard patient and other training functions..

The second station was a discipline/technical unit with similar but reduced functionality., as a two-channel training session capture system.

To test the concept and the different systems, training scenarios were designed to check installation performance.

In these scenarios, each piece of medical and VA equipment was used to validate the operation., operability and compatibility. As with all AVoIP solutions, an appropriate network topology and professional active hardware were essential to system efficiency.

AV Distribution

Each station had a professional AVoIP NAV system, a gateway for wireless presentation ShareLink Pro 500 and multiple HDMI inputs on the station header and wall.

One of the wall-mounted entrances was reserved for the instructor's laptop. The other inputs provided connectivity to the simulator, augmented/mixed reality headsets, computers for the patient's vital signs, anaesthetics, recovery of health records and portable medical equipment, like an emergency car with a defibrillator.

Content was presented on one or more of the wall-mounted display devices. They were also captured and/or routed to remote locations., including a switching matrix for series presentations DTP CrossPoint 4K of Extron in each information room. Most AV components were mounted in the rack inside the lab.

The distribution of the AV signal within and between rooms was carried out by the professional AVoIP NAV system. Encoders and set-top boxes made it easy to extend live content from stations to any combination of additional rooms and analytics..

Encoders NAV E 101 streamed video and audio to set-top boxes over Ethernet networks 1 Gbps de la TRU. NAV SD decoders 101 scaled the video to the native resolution of the display device.

Both NAV models included the codec Pure3 integrated, a wave-based compression technology that delivers the required HDMI-compatible video 2.0 at resolutions up to 4K and ultra low latency at a video data rate of 18 Gbps.

For audio, the encoder supported the AES67 standard which ensures the interoperability of audio over IP.

NAV devices were powered using PoE+, that eliminates the need for a local power supply or injector at the laboratory display device or station. These free outlets were used for medical equipment and AV sources.. additionally, the superior bandwidth management capacity within the NAV system was beneficial for controlling costs in network infrastructure.

Control AV

The AV control system has played a key role during the testing and validation of the use, reliability and operational sustainability of the TRU PoC installation.

A TouchLink Pro touchscreen was available at each lab station. 10 desktop inches TLP Pro 1025T, a wireless tablet loaded with the app Extron Control and a control processor IP Link Pro IPCP Pro 360 in the rack. The same touchscreen model was found in each control room station.

For testing purposes, the touch screen and tablet of each station provided the same GUI and functionality as the one located in the control room.

The operator or instructor could initiate a recording and select the patient's case and training scenario from the AV control panel.

When the scenario did not require a control room operator, recordings could be made and managed, as well as operating the systems from a control panel inside the room or using a tablet.

The custom interface also offered signal routing with separate audio switching and adjustment of the main audio and program level., as well as management of wired and wireless microphones. The control system created facilitated the management of the entire system from the control room, including presentation of content in remote rooms.

The Pro Series Control System was programmed using Extron's Global Scripter – GS. A Python-based development environment that was dynamic and easy to modify as functions are incorporated and requirements change.

Flexibility and reliability

AVoIP's professional NAV series-based AV routing system and Pro Series control system provide the flexibility and durability to route content from any combination of capture and source distribution inputs within the PoC installation. AVI SPL was responsible for creating this design throughout the NPH building.

Installations commissioned include multiple modes of operation control based on user credentials and location. These modes take into account the user experience and the level of accessibility/automation of each type of operator.

NAV and control systems, along with additional Extron products, support laboratories and classes, as well as seminars, spaces for research and collaborative study, of tru's state-of-the-art NPH health sciences building.

"We specified Extron's Professional AV over IP NAV systems and Pro Series as a viable solution for TRU's large-scale healthcare training applications", comments Marcel Schoenenberger, McSquared Principal Consultant. "NAV has proven to be robust and reliable, and due to its unique low-latency and bitrate capabilities, has provided improved streaming efficiency and performance".

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