4,800 pediatric patients undergo tracheostomies annually in the U.S., with multiple caregivers throughout their lives requiring training in the appropriate care. Nationwide Children’s Hospital simulation professionals have developed an innovative Pediatric Tracheostomy Task Trainer model. The manikin offers advanced features for more hands-on training, replicating real-life experiences, including applications such as CPR training.

Existing commercially available task trainers have limitations, and the new model addresses these issues. The portable trainer caters to a broad audience, including healthcare professionals and students with tracheostomy tubes. Key skills associated with the device cover suctioning (both open and closed techniques), stoma care, tracheostomy tie changes, and rescue breathing through tracheostomy/face, depending on insertion availability. Notable improvements include advanced airway management and haptic feedback.

The developed prototype has undergone successful training sessions for hospital staff and caregivers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Additionally, a provisional patent application has been filed. We are actively seeking commercial partners to license this technology in the training manikin market, projected to reach $2.60 billion by 2028 with an 11.2% compound annual growth rate.