Abstract: A patient simulator and corresponding method, according to which a control system and a simulated spine assembly are adapted to simulate human spinal motion. The simulated spine assembly includes a plurality of pivoting joints connected together. In one or more embodiments, the simulated spine assembly further includes one or more encoders adapted to monitor one or more relative positions of the plurality of pivoting joints, and to communicate the monitored one or more relative positions to the control system. In addition, or instead, in one or more embodiments, the simulated spine assembly further includes one or more sensors adapted to monitor one or more forces being applied to one or more of the plurality of pivoting joints, and to communicate the monitored one or more forces to the control system.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods according to which simulated urinary procedure(s) may be performed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a patient simulator includes one or more of the following: a left eye assembly including a simulated left pupil, a simulated left eyelid, and/or a simulated left iris; a right eye assembly including a simulated right pupil, a simulated right eyelid, and/or a simulated right iris; a neck assembly including a simulated neck; a left brow assembly including a simulated left brow; a right brow assembly including a simulated right brow; a tear duct assembly including simulated left and right cheeks through which artificial pores are formed; and a mouth assembly including a simulated mouth. In various embodiments, any one, or a combination, of these assemblies may be, include, or be part of, a manikin in the form of a human face, and may therefore be activated simultaneously to realistically simulate life-like human emotional states.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods according to which a simulated eye includes a simulated iris and a simulated pupil. An iris optical sensor is positioned behind the simulated eye and adapted to: sense a condition of light passing through the simulated pupil; and send, based on the sensed light condition, a first electrical signal. An iris motor is mechanically coupled to the simulated iris and adapted to: receive a second electrical signal; and change, based on the received second electrical signal, a size of the simulated iris. In some embodiments, an iris size sensor is adapted to: sense the size of the simulated iris; and send, based on the sensed size of the simulated iris, a third electrical signal. The second electrical signal may include or be based on the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, or both.

Abstract: A system including a simulated respiratory sub-system and a simulated airway subsystem. The simulated respiratory sub-system comprises simulated lung(s) and, optionally, a lung compliance assembly and a compliance motor. The lung compliance assembly has a backing plate and a pressure plate between which the simulated lungs are positioned. The compliance motor is configured to adjust a clamping force exerted by the pressure plate on the simulated lungs to simulate clinical presentation of lung compliance. The simulated airway subsystem comprises an airway unit and, optionally, a trachea tube and a trachea tubing depth sensor. The airway unit has a mouth cavity and an internal airway via which the mouth cavity communicates with the simulated lung(s). The trachea tube is in communication with the internal airway and operably coupled to the airway unit. The trachea tubing depth sensor ensures proper execution of an intratracheal training procedure.

Abstract: Simulator systems for teaching patient care are provided. In some instances, the simulator system includes a master computer module positioned within a patient body and configured to communicate simulation commands to a pneumatic module also positioned within the patient body and spaced from the master computer module. A compressor module is configured to control a compressor to supply compressed air from the compressor to the pneumatic module. The pneumatic module includes a processor configured to execute the simulation commands received from the master computer module to control a physically simulated body part of the patient body with the supplied compressed air.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect, multi-layer tissue simulations are provided. In another aspect, male genitalia models are provided. In another aspect, abdominal surgical wall inserts are provided. Systems and methods associated with these devices are also provided.

Abstract: A patient simulator may include a pump, a compressor, a power source, and a simulated torso in which the pump, the compressor, and the power source are contained. The compressor may include an inlet to which a bellows is coupled. A head coupling may detachably couple a simulated neck to the simulated torso. Similarly, an extremity coupling may detachably couple a simulated lower extremity to a simulated upper extremity, which simulated upper extremity is coupled to the simulated torso. The pump, the compressor, and/or the power source may provide hydraulic fluid, pneumatic fluid, and or electrical power, respectively, into: the simulated neck via the head coupling; or the simulated lower extremity via the extremity coupling. In addition, or instead, the patient simulator may include an invasive blood pressure (IBP) assembly having an armature adapted to contact a tube to change a fluid pressure in the IBP assembly.

Abstract: A patient simulator system includes a fetal patient simulator including a simulated torso and a simulated head attached to the simulated torso and being moveable in relation to the simulated torso between a neutral position and a raised position. An actuator is configured to raise the simulated head from the neutral position to the raised position. The actuator may be disposed within the simulated head of the fetal patient simulator. The patient simulator system may further include a maternal patient simulator in which the fetal patient simulator is adapted to be disposed to simulate a birthing scenario. The actuator may raise the simulated head from the neutral position to the raised position during the birthing scenario to simulate the rise of a natural fetus's head during birth. The actuator may comprise an inflatable bag or other member positioned outside of the fetal patient simulator and within the maternal patient simulator.

Abstract: An augmented reality system including: a physical anatomic model; a display unit via which a user is adapted to receive first and second optic feedbacks, the first optic feedback emanating from the physical anatomic model and passing through the display unit, and the second optic feedback emanating from the display unit and including a virtual anatomic model; a tracking system adapted to track a position and orientation of the display unit; and a computing device adapted to: receive a first signal from the tracking system relating to the position and orientation of the display unit, and send a second signal to cause the display unit to overlay the second optic feedback on the first optic feedback, the second signal being based on the first signal. In some embodiments, the second optic feedback further includes ancillary virtual graphics such as medical data, instructional steps, expert demonstrations, didactic content, and exigent circumstances.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods according to which simulated thoracic, urinary, pulmonary, and/or capillary procedures may be performed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect, multi-layer tissue simulations are provided. In another aspect, male genitalia models are provided. In another aspect, abdominal surgical wall inserts are provided. Systems and methods associated with these devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a patient simulator includes one or more of the following: a left eye assembly including a simulated left pupil, a simulated left eyelid, and/or a simulated left iris; a right eye assembly including a simulated right pupil, a simulated right eyelid, and/or a simulated right iris; a neck assembly including a simulated neck; a left brow assembly including a simulated left brow; a right brow assembly including a simulated right brow; a tear duct assembly including simulated left and right cheeks through which artificial pores are formed; and a mouth assembly including a simulated mouth. In various embodiments, any one, or a combination, of these assemblies may be, include, or be part of, a manikin in the form of a human face, and may therefore be activated simultaneously to realistically simulate life-like human facial features/expressions.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect, multi-layer tissue simulations are provided. In another aspect, male genitalia models are provided. In another aspect, abdominal surgical wall inserts are provided. Systems and methods associated with these devices are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling an eye assembly of a patient simulator. The method generally includes receiving, via a data input device, one or more inputs, transmitting the one or more inputs to a controller in communication with the data input device, and controlling, using the controller and based on the one or more inputs, the eye assembly of the patient simulator to simulate ocular disease, which ocular disease includes nystagmus, blepharospasm, ptosis, idling, or a combination of two or more thereof.

Abstract: Simulator systems for teaching patient care are provided. In some instances, the simulator system includes a maternal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a pregnant woman, the maternal simulator including a torso, arms, legs, and a head, wherein the torso includes a chamber sized and shaped to receive a fetal simulator and wherein a birthing mechanism is disposed within the chamber for providing rotational and translational movement to the fetal simulator in a birthing simulation; and a fetal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a fetus, the fetal simulator configured to be selectively engaged with the birthing mechanism of the maternal simulator.

Abstract: A patient simulator system includes a right eye assembly including a right eyelid and a right pupil, and a left eye assembly including a left eyelid and a left pupil, wherein the right pupil moves within an area of the right eye and the left pupil moves within an area of the left eye. In various embodiments, right/left optical sensors provide right/left electrical signals based on sensed light conditions associated with the right/left eyes, and a microprocessor changes a size of the right iris based on the right electrical signal, and changes a size of the left iris based on the left electrical signal. In various embodiments, the microprocessor electrically actuates at least one blink motor to rotate, wherein rotation of the at least one blink motor results in motion of the right eyelid and/or the left eyelid to simulate blinking.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training using a patient simulator and various anatomical inserts. One such system generally includes a patient simulator and an anatomical insert, the patient simulator including a simulated vascular system, and the anatomical insert being fluidically couplable to the simulated vascular system and including a simulated artery and a simulated vein. When the anatomical insert is fluidically coupled to the simulated vascular system, the simulated vascular system is adapted to pressurize the simulated artery and the simulated vein with a blood-like fluid to simulate natural arteries and veins. Moreover, when the simulated vascular system pressurizes the simulated artery and the simulated vein with the blood-like fluid, the simulated vascular system is adapted to provide a pulsatile flow of the blood-like fluid to the simulated artery and a steady flow of the blood-like fluid to the simulated vein.

Abstract: A patient simulator system including a simulated head and a simulated fontanelle. The simulated head includes an endoskeleton skull and a skin layer. The simulated fontanelle is incorporated into the skin layer. The endoskeleton skull includes an indented fontanelle region. A fontanelle fitting and a pulse fitting each extend through the endoskeleton skull adjacent the indented fontanelle region. The simulated fontanelle comprises a fontanelle bladder extending within the indented fontanelle region and a pulse bladder extending adjacent the fontanelle bladder. The fontanelle bladder is operably coupled to the fontanelle fitting and communicates with a simulated respiratory system of the patient simulator system to receive either positive or negative pressure, which produces either a swollen or sunken state in the simulated fontanelle.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in combat medical training are provided. In some instances, the combat medical simulators facilitate training of common field medical techniques including tracheostomy, wound care, tourniquet use, pneumothorax, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and/or other medical treatments. Further, the combat medical simulators have joints that provide realistic ranges of motions to enhance the realism of the training experience.