Abstract: An anatomical model for surgical training is provided. The model includes a first layer simulating a liver and a second layer including a simulated gallbladder. A third layer having an inner surface and an outer surface is provided between the first and second layer. The outer surface of the third layer is adhered to the first layer at location around the simulated gallbladder and the simulated gallbladder is adhered to the inner surface of the third layer. A fourth layer is provided that overlays both the second layer and the simulated gallbladder. A frame is embedded within the first layer and is connectable to a support. The model provides a substantially upright projection of a simulated gallbladder and liver in a retracted orientation ideally suited for practicing laparoscopic cholecystectomy when inserted inside a simulated insufflated cavity of laparoscopic trainer.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and/or system for teaching the value of monetary coins including first, second, third, and fourth bases, each having a plurality of recesses, and first, second, third and fourth inserts, each having at least one protrusion for inserting into a corresponding recess of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth bases. The first, second, third, and fourth bases may be provided in one kit or as part of one overall apparatus, wherein the first base has only one hundred recesses, the second base has only twenty-five recesses, the third base has only ten recesses, and the fourth base has only five recesses. The first, second, third, and fourth inserts may be configured to cover twenty-five, ten, five, and one recesses, respectively to represent twenty five cents, ten cents, five cents, and one cent of a U.S. dollar.

Abstract: A sensorized surgical instrument for training users laparoscopic surgical procedures is provided. The instrument includes at least one sensor selected from a group consisting of a strain gauge, accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope. The sensor is attached directly to a handle of the instrument. A shaft assembly having a tool tip is interchangeably connectable to the handle. The sensor is connected to a computer configured to provide feedback useful to the user for improving the user's surgical skills. The feedback includes the time to complete a procedure, economy of motion, smoothness of motion and the force exerted at the tool tip.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for acquiring information designating a plurality of menu items provided in a meal; reading a characteristic of each of the plurality of menu items provided in the meal, from a menu item database that stores a characteristic for each menu item; generating an classification model for classifying a specified menu item from among the plurality of menu items, based on characteristics of the menu items; acquiring measurement data measured by a sensor attached to a utensil during the meal; and classifying a menu item corresponding to the measurement data, from a characteristic corresponding to the measurement data, using the classification model.

Abstract: A system and method for simulating a structure is disclosed. An adjustable interior mockup for simulating a structure has a base with a first elongated side and a second elongated side, the first elongated side being nonadjacent the second elongated side; and an adjustable frame secured to the base. The adjustable frame includes a plurality of girder members secured along the first and second elongated sides to form an arc; a plurality of brackets; a plurality of arms having a latch attached to one end; and a sheet of fabric. The girders are securely fastened along the first elongated side of the base at predetermined intervals; the brackets are secured to the girders; the arms are received by the brackets and adjustably anchored to the girders via a fastener; and the latches engage the sheet of fabric, thus pulling the fabric into a shape that resembles the structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the development of educational courses and curriculum using a secure web based server computer platform and software application that aligns course outcomes and course learning objectives with core and specialized course competencies and uniquely develops course summary and compliance reports that may be used for course approval and accreditation of an educational institution. The course development software program provides a course syllabus that includes presentation summaries, textbook, video, test and other materials and assignments for a teacher to easily organize and present daily activities for the classroom.

Abstract: A brain-computer interface (BCI) designed with a hybrid electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for letter and number recognition system for people who cannot speak. By this system, the words and numbers a subject thinks of are reflected on a display screen. A speech tool has been designed for these individuals allowing them to express themselves.

Abstract: A training cartridge for use in firearm malfunction training is disclosed. The training cartridge is used in a firearm including a clip or magazine to prevent conventional ammunition cartridges from being properly fed into the firing chamber of the firearm. The training cartridge includes a generally cylindrical body, a skirt portion extending outwardly relative to an outer surface of the body, an annular rim spaced from a lower surface of the skirt that is oriented toward the rim such that an annular recess is formed between the lower surface of the skirt and the rim. A feed malfunction is induced when a conventional ammunition cartridge, as it is fed into the firing chamber, is snagged by the adjacent training cartridge.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods to support the simulation of a shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) operation are disclosed. One embodiment is a tip assembly that includes an elongate mock electrode tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and a locking sleeve near the proximal end. A compression spring is configured to interface with the proximal end of the electrode tip. A locking cup is configured to encompass the compression spring and the locking sleeve. A housing, having an orifice, is configured to receive the electrode tip, the compression spring, and the locking cup into an interior of the housing by accepting the distal end of the electrode tip through the orifice up to the locking sleeve. The locking sleeve and the locking cup are configured to be rotated with respect to each other to allow changing between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A method, or corresponding dynamic display system, for customizing a controller of a display system includes presenting a visual stimulus to a subject at at least one known location relative to the subject's eye gaze; measuring brain activity of the subject's left and right brain hemispheres in response to the subject's viewing of the stimulus; processing the measured brain activity to determine a frequency-dependent metric of the measured brain activity; assessing independent cognitive capacities of the subject's left and right brain hemispheres based on the frequency-dependent metric; and adjusting a function of the controller in the display system according to the assessed independent capacities, such as by adjusting the function to change a stimulus load in a visual hemifield according to the brain activity in the contralateral brain hemisphere. Example applications include head-up display (HUD), augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) display systems, and brain injury assessment systems.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for extinguishing fires in a flammable liquid test pan. In an example, the system can include a substantially impermeable lid configured to mate with a top surface of the test pan. When the lid is mated with the test pan, the lid deprives an enclosed volume of the test pan of ambient combustible gas. The lid can be made of one or more materials including metals, ceramics, aramid fibers, and other gas-impermeable and fire resistant materials. The system can include a vehicle configured to carry the lid from a first location that is distal to the test pan to a second location that is adjacent to the test pan. In an example, the vehicle includes a lid transfer device that facilitates transferring the lid from the vehicle to the top surface of the test pan.

Abstract: An extensible electronic learning system having at least one learning management system having a learning management processor and a learning management memory operatively coupled thereto, said processor programmed for executing at least one learning management service and providing at least one extensible integration module. Each extensible integration module includes a predefined vendor services interface comprising at least one vendor services definition, and a vendor configuration upload component for receiving vendor configuration settings about at least one vendor.

Abstract: A medicament-free device (e.g., a smartphone device) for simulating a medicament dispenser may include a sensing device and a processor. The sensing device may sense a user action performed upon the medicament-free device and may output sense data. The processor may receive the sense data, compare the sense data with predefined data, and provide feedback based on how the sense data compares to the predefined data. The predefined data may be indicative of a model user action associated with the medicament dispenser.

Abstract: Systems and methods of microsuture training include receiving an image or video of a suture; extracting features of the suture from the image or video; scoring the suture based on the extracted features of the suture and based on a rating and complexity of the suture to determine a quality of the suture in an objective manner. A suture training system includes a suture training apparatus configurable with a plurality of orientations of simulated or actual tissue to simulate natural anatomical orientations encountered in actual surgery, wherein the plurality of simulated tissue orientations are objective based on fiducial markings on the suture training apparatus; and an image analysis system configured to receive an image or video of a suture performed on the suture training apparatus; extract features of the suture from the image or video; score the suture.

Abstract: A blocks assembly is provided. The assembly is formed of a base with an arch attached thereto. A number of blocks are slideably attached to the arch and confined by the base. The blocks can be slid from one side of the arch to the other. Markings on each side of the arch indicate how many blocks are on each side of the arch. Addition, subtraction, and general mathematical principles and relationships can be taught by movement and manipulation of the blocks.

Abstract: A horse riding training aid is provided. The horse riding training aid includes a dummy horse and actuator means for controlling the fore and aft position of the dummy horse. The horse riding training aid further includes one or more guide and/or control components for generally restricting movements of the dummy horse in certain directions. Actuators are also provide in a form of one or more of fluid operated rams, hydraulic rams and electric motors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are physiological phantoms incorporating sensors and sensor materials integrated with a tissue phantom of an anatomical part. The sensors and sensor materials include small diameter optical fibers containing Bragg gratings, thermochromic materials, electrical strain gauges, flexible strain gauges, shape sensing cables, electrochromic materials and etc. The sensors and sensing materials may mimic tissue as part of the tissue phantom. They may mimic the directionality, density, elasticity of the anatomical tissues they may be mimicking. The sensors and sensing materials may be sensitive to strain, heat, electricity, shape, light, and etc. similar to what may occur during medical procedures using various medical devices and tools such as a scalpel, a needle, a deep brain stimulation probe, a port used in brain or spinal surgery and etc.

Abstract: An interactive computer-based training system, station and method for assessing a training activity performed by a user interacting with tangible instruments for controlling the virtual element in an interactive computer simulation. A processor module obtains a plurality of performance metric datasets related to the virtual element and obtains a plurality of expected maneuvers of the virtual element during the training activity. The processor module computes the plurality of performance metric datasets to identify actual maneuvers of the virtual element during the training activity, identifies one or more failed actual maneuvers of the virtual element during the training activity against corresponding ones of the expected maneuvers and performs computational regression on the actual maneuvers of the virtual element compared to the expected maneuvers of the virtual element to identify one or more root causes of the failed actual maneuvers.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a person's muscle group performance thru modulating the arm, leg, and core muscle exertion rate based upon the exerciser's metabolic and geographic data. The system uses real-time measurement gathering and storing of physiologic parameters from humans during physical exercise activity and the geographic data of the exercise activity to determine information for optimizing the exerciser's physical exercise performance of the basic working muscle groups in the rider's arms, legs, and core. The system broadcasts to exercisers information including, but are not limited to: a) the current condition of their monitored muscle tissue, b) which muscle groups the riders should modulate and change their level of energy output during the exercise activity, and c) level of energy exertion at which riders should be employing at that moment in the relevant working muscle groups to optimize their physical exercise performance.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a resettable injection training device and a method embodiment for resetting the device is provided herein. The device may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing defining a cavity there within. A plunger may be slidable relative to the housing between the proximal end and the distal end. A releasably locking shield having a proximal end and a distal end, and being slidably engaged with the housing is also provided. The shield may be slidable between a retracted, pre-use position an extended, locked, post-use position. The device may further include a flat biasing member for locking the shield in the extended position, and a compressing component slidable relative to the housing, wherein pressure on the flat biasing member from the compressing component deforms the flat biasing member, and unlocks the shield, and wherein a release of pressure by the compressing component on the flat biasing member locks the shield in an extended, post-use position.