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No industry involves more life and death decisions than the healthcare industry. But when it comes to training hospital staff, nurses, and doctors, many don't see a patient simulator any more sophisticated than the old Resusci Anne which is widely used for CPR training. So engineers at Medical Education Technologies Inc., Sarasota, Fla. (www.meti.com) devised iStan, a realistic patient simulator capable of exhibiting a host of symptoms. For example, computer controlled pulses can be read at 14 locations, medically correct sounds are emitted from the heart, chest, bowels, and throat, and students can practice CPR and defibrillation on it. All the symptoms and reactions are wirelessly controlled by a computer.

The simulator is powered by internal batteries, so it can be used to simulate patients who need transport. The batteries provide four hours of operating time and can be recharged quickly in five hours or trickle charged in 11 hours. The device is targeted at nursing and medical schools, medical air-transport personnel, the military, and fire/rescue/disaster response teams.