Abstract: An interactive education process permits students at remote locations to provide feedback to an instructor in an ordered manner. Each student is provided with a network connection to an interactivity engine which includes a natural language interface. Responses to the feedback are provided through the interactivity engine to the student. In addition, the responses are ranked in accordance with the number of users logged on, and the number and nature of the questions or other feedback. If there is a significant number of questions or feedback on the same subject, the responses are grouped and are provided to a stage manager or the instructor for broadcast response. The inquiries and responses are published at an internet site and are accessible by all of the students. By using this technique, student feedback during remote instruction is facilitated, without overburdening the instruction process. In addition, the students are given an ability to participate in the instruction in an active manner.

Abstract: Surgical training apparatus and methods are provided simulating a patient having a background radiation emissions level and at least one concentrated source of radiation emissions. The apparatus includes a first zone having a predetermined traceable background radiation emission level. Preferably, this level is generated by incorporating radioactive nuclides into or on the material of construction of the first zone. These radioactive nuclides are well known to those skilled in the art and include Cl-36, Co-57, Co-60, Sr-90, Tc-99, Cs-137, Tl-204, Th-230, Pu-238, Pu-239, Am-241, Cr-51, Sr-85, Y-88, Cd-109, Ba-133, Bi-210, Ge-68, Ru-106, as well as other Alpha and/or Beta emitters.A more concentrated radiation source is incorporated into the apparatus in conjunction with the first zone. This radiation source can be configured, for example, to simulate a concentration of radionucleid labeled antibodies at a tumor site, or, in the case of lymphatic mapping, lesion drainage and accumulation sites.

Abstract: A drug recognition system for patient simulators is provided for use in training in anesthesiology, operating rooms, and emergency rooms. In a patient simulator mannequin, simulated intravenous drugs are administered by syringe. Each syringe used on a multiple syringe manifold contains a simulated drug fluid and an integrated circuit preprogrammed with a drug type and concentration. A flow sensor provides the amount of simulated drug administered. A computer senses the drug type and concentration from the integrated circuit attached to the syringe, and measures the amount administered from the flow sensor. The drug type, concentration, and amount administered is used by the computer, along with other measured parameters, body and drug models, and trainer input, to cause the simulator mannequin to react in the proper or desired manner. In an alternate embodiment, the system can be used to record the type, concentration, and amount of actual drugs administered to a real patient.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus for use with a computer, comprising a transceiver for two-way wireless communication with a plaything, the transceiver having terminals for connection to the computer, and a control device for causing the computer to send and receive information to and from the plaything via the transceiver to enable the plaything to provide interactive fantasy simulation of the behavior of a corresponding real-world object. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for enabling fantasy play using a computer and a plaything, comprising at the plaything, delivering output and receiving input associated with the fantasy play, and generating control signals at the computer for controlling the output based on the input, and by wireless communication sending the control signals from the computer to the plaything and sending the input from the plaything to the computer.

Abstract: A dental hygiene display for instructing and educating children on the proper toothbrush stroke technique, brushing duration, and stroke location including a human mouth figure with toothbrush motion simulation utilizing a liquid crystal display a speech processor and a piezo-electric sound emitting devise. The toothbrush stroke movements are simulated by multiple liquid crystal display segments activated and de-activated in sequence. The multiple liquid crystal display is repeated at various locations within the mouth. Additionally, a microprocessor circuit is provided for controlling of the crystal displays, brush stroke, speed, duration, and location within the mouth, as well as the speech processor and the piezo-electric sound emitting device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for guiding hand-acupuncture, which comprises at least a hand model having a plurality of light emitting means respectively mounted in the spots corresponding to the hand-acupuncture points, a human body model having a plurality of light emitting means mounted in the positions of the parts of a human body cured by practicing the hand-acupuncture to corresponding hand-acupuncture points, a microprocessing unit programmed in a given code to represent the hand-acupuncture points corresponding with the parts of the body affected with various kinds of diseases, an input means for entering code signals into the microprocessing unit according to the code system, a connecting means for connecting the output signals of the microprocessing unit with the light emitting means, and a support frame for supporting the body model and hand model.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a group of coordinated fabrics is provided. The system consists of a display member, which displays characteristics of the selected fabrics. Markers or a computer processing unit are used to record the characteristics of the selected fabrics. When the recorded characteristics of the selected fabrics are arranged in a predetermined manner, the selected fabrics are coordinated. Once the selected fabrics have coordinated, they may be used for decorating an area, such as a room in a house.