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Simulator model to teach the digital rectal exam

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Easy-to-use teaching model of the anorectal cavity for physicians to learn the administration of a digital rectal examination.

Design Award

  • Design Excellence Award Winner

Project Overview

A digital rectal exam (DRE) is a test that examines a person's lower rectum, pelvis, and lower belly. A physician inserts a finger into the rectum to assess the muscle functions of both the external sphincter and the puborectalis in patients with known difficulty of defecating. Our client Dr. Lisa Jones is the medical director of pelvic floor and anorectal disorders at UW Health. Dr. Jones research interests are in utilizing technology to enhance medical education. She currently does not have a model of the anal cavity including the sphincter and puborectalis muscles to use in large-scale teaching demonstrations. Our goal is to develop a dynamic and interactive model of the anal cavity with contracting and relaxing muscles that emulate normal anorectal function. This model will be used for physicians to practice a DRE.

Team Picture

From left to right: Julia Lindahl, Tony Tu, Lokesh Kumaravel, Akshay Vankayala
From left to right: Julia Lindahl, Tony Tu, Lokesh Kumaravel, Akshay Vankayala

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Lokesh Kumaravel - Team Leader
  • Julia Lindahl - Communicator
  • Tony Tu - BSAC & BPAG
  • Akshay Vankayala - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Megan McClean - Advisor
  • Dr. Lisa Jones - Client

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