The Need

Medtronic is a leading medical device company that innovates solutions that treat 70-plus health conditions, from Parkinson’s to diabetes.

The Cardiac Ablation Group within the company recently developed the PulseSelect™ pulse field ablation (PFA) system. The PulseSelect™ PFA system is setting a new standard in safety for AF ablation by offering a new approach, driving efficient and predictable procedures.

With the rollout of a new product, Medtronic needed to educate its customers on the technology, key benefits, and usage of the new device.

The Solution

eLearning Modules

KDG collaborated with Medtronic subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop several comprehensive training modules for healthcare professionals. These modules provide an overview of the PulseSelect system components and key features, review the procedural workflow, and explain the proper preparation sequence of the catheter and generator.

A comprehensive understanding of the product leads to confident device application in clinical workflows. The curriculum reduces the learning curve, ensuring smooth integration into practice and enhancing overall operational efficiency. This minimizes the risk of errors, instills confidence in its use, and contributes to improved patient outcomes.

These modules incorporate a rich mix of training modalities to maximize user engagement and knowledge retention. For instance, they use 3D animations to demonstrate device operation, explainer videos for the technology used, and graphical simulations that step through the fundamentals.

Device Animations

A series of animations were created to show the PulseSelect PFA system in action. The animations show how the loop catheter and the handle slider interact when deploying and capturing the catheter inside the heart and also outside the heart during device preparation.

The first step was to create the 3D models, which were created using 2D CAD reference files.

Next, KDG worked closely with the subject matter experts to accurately animate the components. First, the loop catheter with its nine electrodes was animated to show deploying and capturing. Then that animation was synchronized with the handle, showing where the slider is positioned as the catheter advances or retracts.

These animations are utilized throughout the eLearning modules and are available for Medtronic to use as stand-alone videos.

Irreversible Electroporation Animation

The PulseSelect PFA system ablates the heart. The goal is to cause irreversible electroporation. These changes to the heart occur on a cellular level. It’s important for the healthcare professional using the system to understand exactly what is happening at the cellular level.

KDG developed an explainer video to convey this information, involving several key steps. These include setting up the animation, integrating voice-over from a developed script, and creating the 3D models. Throughout the production, KDG worked closely with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

The animation starts by showing where the catheter is placed in the heart. It then explains the waveforms used during the procedure, showing the different effects they can have on the cell depending on the strength and duration of the energy pulse. Finally, the 3D animation shows the cell from a normal healthy state to irreversible electroporation, the goal of the ablation procedure.

This animation is used in the training curriculum and is also available for Medtronic to use as a stand-alone video.