Anthropomorphic simulator for minimally invasive epicardial access procedures

We have developed a prototype, in vitro anthropomorphic model for simulating pressure-guided, subxiphoid access procedures done to enable minimally invasive epicardial cardiac procedures including treatments for ventricular tachycardia. Life-size replicas of the heart and lungs were modelled using anatomically accurate surrogates. The dynamic pressure–frequency profiles of simulated pericardial fluid surrounding the water-pumped replica heart were measured and validated against previously acquired human intrapericardial pressure observations (Pearson's r = 0.88, p