Spectrum Medical’s Quantum Heart-Lung Machine is now in use in the program’s simulation lab at the School of Health Sciences on the North Haven Campus. The technology represents the very latest equipment used by perfusionists to support or replace a patient’s heart and lung functions during cardiac surgery, said Cardiovascular Perfusion Program Director Tyler Wahl.

Distinguished as one of only 15 programs nationwide offering graduate-level training, Quinnipiac’s MHS in Cardiovascular Perfusion program engages students with some of the finest technology in academia in a simulation lab that emulates the fast, interdisciplinary, team-based environments needed to hone skills.

“We’ve had heart-lung machines for our program since our simulation lab opened, but in the past five or so years, new technology has stepped up the game, and we didn’t want to fall behind,” said Wahl. “I reached out to Spectrum Medical, and they were able to donate one pump that we can set up to our high-fidelity simulator operating room for students.”

Wahl said Spectrum Medical has significantly elevated the simulation lab’s technology. The company’s educational outreach initiatives have also allowed Quinnipiac students to benefit from presentations given by clinical educators.

“Their commitment to education has really shown,” said Wahl. “This summer, when we got the pump, Spectrum Medical came here to do a full rundown of it with our second-year students who were going out on clinicals. Even though they didn’t get to use the pump before the donation, they got some hands-on experience.

It helps us to continue growing the program and the knowledge base not only in the material that we teach them but in the real-world applications that are hard to teach. The Spectrum Medical representatives can speak to how things are being used in the clinical space, and I think the students have really gravitated toward that.”

The company also sponsors programs and events for regional perfusionist meetings, Wahl noted.

Based in the United Kingdom, Spectrum Medical is a medical device manufacturer focusing on cardiac bypass and ICU technologies. Spectrum Medical Area Vice President Alex Legassey said the Quantum Heart-Lung Machine donation to Quinnipiac reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing the education and training of the next generation of perfusionists.

“We are especially grateful to Tyler Wahl for his continued support and leadership in facilitating this donation,” Legassey said. “Tyler’s partnership has been instrumental in aligning with Spectrum Medical’s vision to positively contribute to perfusion education and innovation across North America.”

Along with his Quinnipiac roles, Wahl is the senior pediatric lead perfusionist at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he manages the Pediatric Cardiovascular Perfusion Department, develops innovative protocols, and leads multidisciplinary educational initiatives.

Wahl estimates Spectrum Medical machines are currently in use in 40% to 50% of all cardiac centers in the country, and that percentage is growing. Having access to the same equipment in use by many professionals gives Quinnipiac students a critical edge during their two years of hands-on learning in the program.

“Simulation has been growing in importance over the past decade, specifically in perfusion education. Students are expected to come out of their first year and start their second-year rotations with a lot of background knowledge and start pumping cases on actual patients on day one. Our students are being well prepared for that, and more donations like this are really helping to do that,” Wahl said.

Legassey said Spectrum Medical extends its sincere thanks to Quinnipiac University for its continued partnership and dedication to excellence in perfusion education.
“Collaborations like this are essential to elevating clinical training and patient care throughout the perfusion community,” Legassey said. “Together, we look forward to empowering future cardiovascular perfusionists with the tools and technologies they need to succeed.”