Clinical Performance Study: Evaluate Scanning & Interpretation Performance With & Without ScanNav Anatomy PNB

A Pilot Study to Evaluate Anaesthetists' Ultrasound Scanning & Interpretation Performance for Ultrasound-guided Regional Anaesthesia - With & Without the Assistance of an Artificial Intelligence Device ScanNav Anatomy Peripheral Nerve Block

This is a single-centre, randomised, interventional prospective cohort study to be undertaken at offices of Intelligent Ultrasound Limited in Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance (NICE, 2009) supports the use of ultrasound-guidance for regional anaesthesia (UGRA) procedures as a consensus of clinical opinion agrees that nerve blocks are more successful and safer with ultrasound (US) guidance. Despite this, UGRA remains a difficult technique to master. This study will be used to determine whether ScanNav Anatomy PNB can support the performance of non-expert anaesthetist in UGRA scanning by highlighting key anatomical structures on the US image in real time.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, at least 18 years of age

2. Able to comprehend and sign the Informed Consent prior to enrolment in the study

3. Available to travel and attend the study day in person in Cardiff, UK

4. Medical professional (currently practicing anaesthetist or similar clinician) who is qualified to perform UGRA

5. Do not self-identify as an expert in the field of UGRA:

   1. Has not completed advanced training or hold a qualification (e.g., EDRA, MSc, MD, PhD) related to UGRA
   2. Does not regularly deliver anaesthesia for 'awake' surgery (excluding central neuraxial techniques)
   3. Does not teach on formal RA courses

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Aged <18 years of age
2. Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
3. Expert in UGRA (see definition above)