Abstract: Procedure training apparatus, methods and systems which in one embodiment allow surgical trainees to receive expert clinical guidance during live surgery or to practice surgical skills on anatomical models in a realistic manner with an augmented reality headset which is in audio and visual communication with a remotely located trainer having a similar AR headset. A unique feature of the system includes providing live or static imaging of the surgical site to the AR headsets of the trainee and trainer wherein the imaging is provided from medical or other devices (e.g., ultrasound) through a device(s) media hub. The images are displayed in the field of view of the surgeon so that they may see their hands, the patient (or model) and the imaging simultaneously. Controls allow the imaging on the respective AR headsets to be switched on command typically by the trainer which allows the trainer to deliver the trainer's surgical site image (e.g.

Abstract: A method of determining the perceptual load of a human brain. The perceptual load is induced by a predetermined task carried out by the human. The method includes the steps of: measuring with a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensor device a metabolic activity of the human brain while the task is carried out and determining the perceptual load as a function of a measured change in metabolic activity. The invention further relates to a method of determining the level of stimulus perception corresponding systems.

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: A simulated tissue structure for surgical training is provided. The simulated tissue structure includes a first layer made of silicone and a second layer made of silicone interconnected by a third layer made of polyester fiber that is embedded in part in the first layer and in part in the second layer to create a mechanical linkage between the first layer and the second layer. Part of the third layer that is adjacent to the first layer and part of the third layer that is adjacent to the second layer includes fiber strands coated in silicone. An inclusion that mimics an anatomical structure is located between the first layer and the second layer. The third layer of polyester fibers provides a realistic dissection plane for the practice of the surgical excision of the inclusion.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an anthropomorphic phantom for use with cryoneurolysis training. The anthropomorphic phantom having a body shaped to simulate a human anatomical structure. In some forms, the phantom body comprises a first material configured to simulate human soft tissue, a simulated nerve embedded within the first material, and a simulated fascial plane embedded within the first material superficial to the simulated nerve.

Abstract: A method comprising: accessing a block that is not opaque and defines a plurality of wells that are not in fluid communication with each other; and providing a storage medium storing a set of instructions on how to use the block.

Abstract: A system for reconstituting circulation in a cadaver includes at least a pump, a fluid driven by the pump, and operative fluid connections between the pump and the cadaver. The system may be used to occlude one or more arterioles within the cadaver. The system may include a first circuit that creates a first fluid path with vessels of the cadaver, with first circuit having a first fluid conduit, a heater unit, a first pump, and a resistance device. The system may also include a second circuit that creates a second fluid path with vessels of the cadaver that are different from the vessels of the first circuit, with the second circuit having a second fluid conduit and a second pump. Alternately, the system may include a first circuit that creates a first fluid path with vessels of the cadaver and a second flow path that creates a second fluid path with the reservoir, where the first circuit includes a first conduit, a second connector, a pump, a reservoir, and a connector.

Abstract: An anatomical teaching model is used to demonstrate principles of breast and/or abdominal surgical procedures. The model may include a torso, a pectoralis major muscle piece attachable to the chest wall surface, and a breast tissue piece that is positionable over the pectoralis major muscle piece. The model may further include a pair of rectus muscle pieces attachable to the abdominal wall surface and an abdominal tissue piece positionable over the pair of rectus muscle pieces. The pair of rectus muscle pieces have two sections of material positionable symmetrically about a sagittal plane of the female-shaped torso. The model may further include a capsule pocket configured to be inserted between the pectoralis major muscle piece and the chest wall surface, the capsule pocket having an opening for insertion of an implant.

Abstract: A surgical simulation device is disclosed that allows a structural heart disease (SHD) team, including a surgeon and an imaging specialist to perform a simulated cardiac intervention procedure using a patient-specific model that replicates biomechanical and echogenic properties of a specific patient to be operated on. The surgical simulation device can include a station with a tank for receiving a patient-specific cartridge with the patient-specific model. The device can also include an esophageal access system in the station and a vascular access system that couples to an access port of the station.

Abstract: Methods for providing real-time, three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality (AR) feedback guidance to a user of an equipment system for training or improved performance, including comparing sensed, real-time user positioning data and data received from the equipment system during use to reference positioning and procedure outcome data, and generating and providing to a user real-time position-based and outcome-based 3D AR feedback based on comparing the sensed and reference data.

Abstract: Mobile training labs for training gas technicians are disclosed. The mobile training labs can include a towable trailer comprising a body having a plurality of walls at least partially defining a hollow interior, an axle having at least two wheels disposed thereon to support the body, and a tow hitch. The mobile training labs can also include at least one training bay connected to the towable trailer such that the at least one training bay is configured to be accessed from an exterior of the towable trailer. The at least one training bay can include a work bench and a mock service entrance that is representative of a commercial or residential gas service entrance.

Abstract: A plurality of systems and methods for improving a cardiac ablation procedure are disclosed. The systems and methods include a cloud server that includes a database containing information about previously performed cardiac ablations, a local server that is communicatively coupled to the cloud server via first network, and a surgical system that is communicatively coupled to the local server via second network. The cloud server is configured to receive, via the local server, electrical and anatomical data of a heart of a patient from the surgical system, perform a comparison of the electrical and anatomical data of the heart to the database information, generate a surgical treatment plan for the heart based on the comparison, wherein the surgical treatment plan includes a grid of the heart, and transmit, via the local server, the surgical treatment plan to the surgical system.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a human laryngeal model for simulation of endoscopic guided injection laryngoplasty surgery and for an insertion of a syringe containing a fluid. The human laryngeal model includes a laryngeal body, a seat body, and a vocal cord. The seat body is mounted to the laryngeal body. The seat body has an accommodation space. The vocal cord includes a plate and at least one bag body. The plate is stacked on the seat body, the bag body is fixed to the plate and located in the accommodation space of the seat body, and the bag body has a storage space. The vocal cord is configured for the insertion of the syringe to allow the syringe to inject the fluid into the storage space of the bag body. In addition, the disclosure also provides a human head and neck model including the human laryngeal model.

Abstract: A game bird fan can be created using a fixation template having a plurality of radial lines extending from a center region that define a plurality of spaced grid portions circumferentially arranged in a semicircular pattern. The base of the tail is initially aligned with the center region of the template and each of the tail feathers are individually aligned with the spaced grid regions. The tail feathers are temporarily secured to the template after each individual aligning step. An adhesive or epoxy is applied to the quills of the tail in order to retain the tail fan after which the formed tail can be removed from the template. Optionally, a riser can be disposed on the fixation template and beneath the base of the tail prior to aligning, enabling the created fan to have a curved or bowed configuration.

Abstract: Unsupervised machine scoring of free-response answers can be provided, eliminating the need to create a model answer. A scoring system can receive a set of free-response answers with associated response content and determine, from all the associated response content, a commonality content by identifying semantically related response content from the set of free-response answers. For each free-response answer, the scoring system can determine an amount of similarity between the associated response content for that free-response answer and the commonality content and assign a similarity value from the amount of similarity to that free-response answer. The amount of similarity indicates a degree of “correctness” of an answer and, according to an implementation, can be considered to be the distance of an embedding of a free-response answer from a vector-related average of all the free-response answers.

Abstract: Described and demonstrated herein are embodiments of a self-supporting wearable device that can be used for medical training and simulations. Also described herein are methods of using the wearable device described herein.

Abstract: A device and a method for simulating layered stratum containing natural gas hydrates are provided. The device includes a reactor; wherein the reactor includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and a reactor body, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are sealably attached to two ends of the reactor body to form a closed chamber; an overlying pressure layer, a superstratum layer, a hydrate layer and a substratum layer are sequentially formed throughout inside of the closed chamber from the upper cover to the lower cover, wherein each layer is respectively filled with different kinds of porous media and fluids and the each layer is provided with a stratal-fluid annular container; each stratal-fluid annular container has an outer periphery contacting an inner surface of the reactor body. The method is conducted using the device.

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: A graphic recognition-based interactive method and electronic device.

Abstract: A passive constraint device is disclosed which attaches to a laparoscopic instrument to kinematically constrain the user from over-gripping the instrument and to train the user in proper handling of the instrument. Passive constraint devices include three degrees of freedom adjustment of a palm rest and clamps to the laparoscopic instrument. An active constraint device is disclosed which attaches to a laparoscopic instrument to dynamically constrain a user from over-gripping the instrument and provide resistive feedback to a user to train the user in proper handling of the instrument. Active constraint devices include a finger guard that, in one embodiment, is elastic and, in other embodiments, is solid but connects to finger loops of a laparoscopic instrument via elastic connectors. Methods of use include a method for training surgical residents in the proper handling of laparoscopic instruments using passive and active constraint devices during residency training.