Portable Vascular Surgery Training with Pulsatile and Continuous Flow

The VI Box is a compact, portable surgical training platform designed for practising a wide range of vascular, cardiac and general surgery techniques.

Developed by Vascular International, the simulator accommodates straight vessels, complex vascular models and embedded tissue inserts. Interchangeable supports and foam layers allow the working depth and surgical access to be adjusted for different procedures.

Two independent battery-powered pumps provide pulsatile arterial flow and continuous venous flow. This allows learners to practise vessel dissection, vascular anastomosis, endarterectomy and ultrasound-guided vascular access using a single versatile simulation system.

Key Features

• Compact and portable vascular surgery simulator
• Two independent integrated flow pumps
• Pulsatile flow for arterial procedure simulation
• Continuous flow for venous procedure simulation
• Battery-operated using a rechargeable power bank
• Adjustable working and wound depth
• Compatible with straight vessels and complex vascular models
• Supports embedded tissue and dermis models
• Small and large vessel connectors included
• Integrated storage area for instruments and accessories
• Easy to prepare, drain, clean and store
• Suitable for individual practice and structured courses

Clinical Skills and Procedures

The flexible design of the VI Box allows it to support multiple surgical skills and procedural scenarios, including:

• End-to-end vascular anastomosis
• End-to-side vascular anastomosis
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Femoral endarterectomy
• Arterial and venous vessel dissection
• Plaque removal and vascular repair
• Vessel clamping and preparation
• Needle handling and vascular suturing
• Suture spacing and tension control
• Ultrasound-guided IV and vascular access
• Assessment of vascular repairs under simulated flow

Dual Arterial and Venous Flow Systems

The VI Box contains two colour-coded pumps for reproducing different types of vascular flow.

• Red arterial system: Produces pulsatile flow for arteries and arterial procedure simulation.
• Blue venous system: Produces continuous flow for veins and venous access training.

The pumps connect to the control unit and rechargeable power bank using USB connections. As the system is battery-operated, it can be used away from a fixed power supply once the power bank has been charged.

After an anastomosis or vascular repair has been completed, flow can be introduced through the model to help identify leakage and assess the quality of the repair.

Adjustable Surgical Working Depth

The internal support system includes shaped foam inserts and an adjustable depth layer. These allow vessels and embedded models to be positioned at different heights within the box.

Learners can therefore progress from exposed benchtop vessel practice to procedures performed through a deeper, more restricted operative opening. This helps develop instrument control and suturing technique under more realistic surgical access conditions.

Compatible LifeLike Training Models

The VI Box can be configured with a wide selection of replaceable LifeLike BioTissue models, including:

• Embedded Carotid Arteries with Plaque and Dermis
• Embedded Femoral Arteries with Dermis
• Embedded Femoral Groin Model
• Embedded Veins with Dermis
• Carotid Artery models
• Femoral Artery models
• Saphenous Vein models
• Straight arterial and venous vessels
• Complex and bifurcated vascular models

Different connectors are supplied for small and large vessels, allowing the same simulator to be used across a broad vascular and cardiac surgery training programme.

Standard VI Box Components

• Protective blue box cover
• Main simulation box and working surface
• Large and small box lids
• Rechargeable power bank and charging cable
• Pump control unit with on/off switch
• Red arterial pulsatile pump
• Blue venous continuous-flow pump
• Short and long silicone tubing
• Vessel positioning inlay
• Shaped skin-coloured foam support
• Black foam layer for adjusting working depth
• Grey bridge support
• Small and large arterial connectors
• Venous connector
• Wire holders and vessel-fixing bands
• Internal accessory storage tray

Package Options

1. The VI Box

The core reusable simulation platform with integrated arterial and venous flow systems, rechargeable power bank, vessel supports, connectors and accessories.

2. The VI Box with LifeLike Tissues

This package includes the VI Box together with:

• 1 × Embedded Femoral Arteries with Dermis Model
• 2 × LifeLike Large Saphenous Veins

3. The VI Box Complete Package

A comprehensive training package combining the VI Box with LifeLike tissue models, sutures and vascular instruments.

• 1 × Embedded Femoral Arteries with Dermis Model
• 1 × Embedded Carotid Arteries with Plaque and Dermis Model
• 2 × LifeLike Large Saphenous Veins
• 2 × Boxes of Nylon Suture C, 12 sutures per box
• 1 × Metzenbaum Scissors
• 1 × Cooley Forceps
• 1 × Castroviejo Needle Holder
• 1 × Crile Forceps
• 1 × Potts-Smith Scissors
• 1 × Weitlaner Self-Retaining Retractor
• 1 × Scalpel Handle

Product Specifications

Suitable for Professional Surgical Education

• Vascular surgery trainees and fellows
• Cardiac and general surgery trainees
• Consultant-led surgical education
• Medical schools and universities
• Teaching hospitals
• Surgical skills laboratories
• Clinical simulation centres
• Vascular surgery workshops
• Ultrasound-guided access training
• Medical device training and demonstrations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the two pumps?

The red pump produces pulsatile arterial flow, while the blue pump provides continuous venous flow. The appropriate colour-coded tubing and connectors are used for each circuit.

Does the VI Box require mains power during training?

No. The pumps operate from the supplied rechargeable power bank, making the simulator portable once the power bank has been charged.

Are tissue models included?

This depends on the selected package. The core VI Box is the reusable simulation platform. The tissue and complete packages include the specific LifeLike models listed above.

Can the working depth be adjusted?

Yes. The supplied support and foam layers allow vessel models to be positioned at different depths to vary the difficulty and operative access.

Can the VI Box be used for ultrasound training?

Yes. When combined with an appropriate ultrasound-compatible embedded vessel model, the VI Box can support ultrasound-guided IV and vascular access training.

How is the simulator cleaned after use?

The vessel is removed and the remaining water is drained from the system. The box should then be left open until completely dry before the accessories are returned to the internal storage area.