Abstract: A medical trainer simulator includes a plurality of simulated vessels filled with a conductive fluid representing, for example, veins or arteries. While performing a procedure using the medical trainer, a person inserts a medical instrument, e.g., a needle or scalpel, into a selected vessel, causing the medical instrument to contact the conductive fluid. A circuit board detects when a circuit is thus created by detecting an electrical current flowing through the medical instrument and the conductive fluid it has contacted. A software program executing on a computer excludes any phantom circuit occurring when the medical instrument contacts conductive fluid from a previous procedure that is not within one of the vessels. A phantom circuit is detected if the resistance of the resulting circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold. The computer visually and/or audibly indicates whether the correct vessel was pierced or excized by the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical training simulator includes contact-less sensors and corresponding detection objects, configured to enable sensor data collected during a training exercise to be used to evaluate the performance of the training exercise. The simulator includes a simulated anatomical structure, at least one contact-less sensor, and at least one detection object. During a training exercise, a spatial relationship between the contact-less sensor and the detection object produces data for evaluating performance of the training exercise. Either the contact-less sensor or the detection object is embedded in the simulated physiological structure, while the other is included in either a support for the simulated physiological structure, or as part of a tool used during the training exercise. Many types of contact-less sensors can be employed, including capacitance sensors, impedance sensors, inductive sensors, and magnetic sensors.

Abstract: An anatomical simulator system (10) includes a synthetic anatomical torso (12) resting on a base (14). The torso includes an internal cavity (18) and a pneumoperitoneum wall (16). A selected one of a variety of procedure packs (20, 30) is placed inside the cavity for use in training in videoendoscopic surgical techniques. The torso includes a plurality of trocar apertures (22) which permit insertion of videoendoscopic instruments for manipulation, incision, dissection and suturing of synthetic anatomic structure included in the procedure packs. Each procedure pack includes simulated anatomic structures (34,36,38,40) that have a realistic appearance and density, that provide realistic tactile feedback during manipulation and incision, and that are suturable and/or electrocauterizable using endoscopic instruments.

Abstract: A videoendoscopic surgery training system (10) provides training in videoendoscopic surgery techniques. A base (14) supports a simulated anatomical structure (12). A shield (20) blocks a trainee's direct line-of-sight view of the simulated anatomical structure. A reflector assembly (24, 34) reflects an image of the simulated anatomical structure past the shield. A first mirror (24) reflects an image of the simulated anatomical structure that is oriented away from the trainee. A second mirror (34) optically communicates with the first mirror to reflect an image of the simulated anatomical structure that is oriented toward the trainee.

Abstract: An anatomical simulator system (10) includes a synthetic anatomical torso (12) resting on a base (14). The torso includes an internal cavity (18) and a pneumoperitoneum wall (16). A selected one of a variety of procedure packs (20, 30) is placed inside the cavity for use in training in videoendoscopic surgical techniques. The torso includes a plurality of trocar apertures (22) which permit insertion of videoendoscopic instruments for manipulation, incision, dissection and suturing of synthetic anatomic structure included in the procedure packs. Each procedure pack includes simulated anatomic structures (34,36,38,40) that have a realistic appearance and density, that provide realistic tactile feedback during manipulation and incision, and that are suturable and/or electrocauterizable using endoscopic instruments.