Vaddio PTZ cameras broadcast medical simulation at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia

Vaddio, the leading manufacturer and OEM distributor of specialty PTZ cameras and high-end camera control systems, supplied Australian-based Vizcom Technologies with 15 Model 70 PTZ robotic camera systems for recording and documenting medical simulation in the Health and Wellness Building at Edith Cowan University (ECU).

The Health and Wellness Building at ECU is home to the Centre for Excellence in Health Simulation. Three simulation suites house ‘human being simulators’ known as the ‘Sim Mannequin’ that can emulate real people - or more accurately, the symptoms of real, sick people. These mannequins used in conjunction with sophisticated software, provide a very real simulation of a human being suffering illness, disease or injuries.

The three simulation suites accommodate an adjacent debriefing room with videoconference links and large LCD screens. The main rooms each contain four Vaddio Model 70 PTZ camera kits mounted on rails above the hospital ‘patient’s’ bed. The Model 70 PTZ Camera Kit is built around the Sony EVI-D70 PTZ camera and includes the EZCamera Cable Shoe and IR Remote Commander. The EZCamera cabling system allows the integrator to use Cat. 5 cabling to run power, video and camera control. Each camera is connected by Vaddio’s Quick-Connect 4 power, video and control wiring center. Used in combination with the EZCamera cabling system, the Quick-Connect 4 centralizes control system wiring and supplies power distribution from a single master power supply.

Each Model 70 is controlled by Vaddio’s Super Joystick - a unique integration joystick with six discrete, auto-configuring RS-232 camera control ports for direct control of PTZ cameras, eliminating the need for daisy chain control cabling.

Aside from the advantages of the medical simulation, the whole virtual environment is recorded and documented with student’s responses. Simulations can be streamed to a lecture theater for student and teacher observation or archived for later use. Real-time DVDs are also available for anyone who wants to create a take-home disc.