Abstract: A test bench assembly for simulating cardiac surgery includes a passive heart having at least one pair of cardiac chambers with an atrial chamber and a ventricular chamber. A reservoir is adapted to house working fluid. A pressure generator fluidically connects both to the ventricular chamber of the passive heart and to the reservoir. A pressure regulation device provides working fluid in input to the atrial chamber with preload pressure, and working fluid in output from the ventricular chamber with afterload pressure. The pressure regulation device fluidically connects both to the atrial chamber of the passive heart and to the ventricular chamber of the passive heart. The pressure regulation device has a single compliant element for each pair of cardiac chambers, which provides working fluid with both preload, and afterload pressures.

Abstract: Building sets including one or more blocks or planks and one or more connector clips configured to engage a thickness of the planks. Various types of planks, as well as various types of connecting clips may be provided, so as to provide open-ended building characteristics to users. Some connector clips may include a mating protrusion allowing the connector clip to be coupled to a hole or receptacle of another connector clip, or hub for connector clips, or into a hole of a plank. Such clips may be pivotable relative to the structure coupled to as a result of the mating protrusion connection. The building sets may provide proportional dimension characteristics between the planks and various connector clips, hubs, etc. One or more button connector clips may be provided with one or more panels, allowing panels to be integrated into the structural framework created with the connector clips and planks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shaping and energizing fluids to generate luminous fluid sculptures are disclosed herein. The disclosed methods comprise one or more steps of sculpting one or more fluids into a pattern or shape using one or more forces selected from the group consisting of mechanically generated turbulence, controlled movement through a shaped chamber, application of a magnetic field, vibration, and gravity to generate one or more sculpted fluids, and one or more steps of energizing the fluids using one or more sources of nonvisible energy selected from the group consisting of chemicals, heat, electrical current, and nonvisible electromagnetic radiation so that the fluids emit visible light. The color of the visible light emitted may be controlled by modulating various color-control factors. The methods comprise at least two non-simultaneous steps, where the non-simultaneous steps may be any combination of sculpting and energizing steps, to generate dynamic luminous fluid sculptures.

Abstract: The adjustable mannequin head is configured with a postiche. The postiche mounts on the adjustable mannequin head. The adjustable mannequin head comprises a cranial structure further comprising independently adjustable sections that correspond to the cranial bones of a human skull. The independently adjustable sections adjust such that the exterior surfaces of the adjustable mannequin head can be adjusted to resemble the shape of the head of a client. The adjustable mannequin head comprises the cranial structure, a plurality of bolts, an anchor structure, and an orientation structure. The cranial structure supports the postiche during the hairdressing activities. The plurality of bolts adjusts the shape of the exterior surfaces of the cranial structure. The anchor structure secures the plurality of bolts into position. The orientation structure provides a hairdresser with cues that allow the hairdresser to envision better how the postiche will look.

Abstract: A medical training device facilitating practice of a task-specific medical procedure for the treatment of a traumatic injury is presented. The invention includes a simulant with or without a simulated wound and an optional case adapted to receive the simulant. For embodiments specific to establishing an emergency airway, the simulant includes a compressible body, an insert, an outer covering, and an inner covering. The compressible body and the outer covering approximate a neck with or without a chin. The insert approximates a trachea. The insert is disposed within and separable from the compressible body. The inner covering is disposed between the outer covering and the insert. For embodiments specific to an intramuscular injection, the simulant includes a compressible body, a slot, and a fill. The compressible body approximates a muscle. The slot extends into the compressible body. The slot is adapted to receive the fill. The fill is removably secured within the slot.

Abstract: A medical training device facilitating practice of a task-specific medical procedure for the treatment of a traumatic injury is presented. The invention includes a simulant with or without a simulated wound and an optional case adapted to receive the simulant. For embodiments specific to establishing an emergency airway, the simulant includes a compressible body, an insert, an outer covering, and an inner covering. The compressible body and the outer covering approximate a neck with or without a chin. The insert approximates a trachea. The insert is disposed within and separable from the compressible body. The inner covering is disposed between the outer covering and the insert. For embodiments specific to an intramuscular injection, the simulant includes a compressible body, a slot, and a fill. The compressible body approximates a muscle. The slot extends into the compressible body. The slot is adapted to receive the fill. The fill is removably secured within the slot.

Abstract: A system for simulating a hysteroscopy procedure is disclosed. The system includes a base station adapted to communicate with a computer having a display monitor. A training box is connected to the base station, and includes a housing having a chamber positioned therein. The chamber simulates the shape of a uterine cavity and includes an opening for receiving an instrument. The instrument is adapted for insertion into the chamber for performing hysteroscopy evaluation exercises including targeting and polyp removal exercises.

Abstract: A training device for training a user on the operation of an auto-injector that dispenses a medicament. A needle guard is slidable from a first extended position relative to a housing prior to operation of the training device, to a retracted position during operation of the training device, and to a second extended position after operation of the training device. An actuation assembly controls the movement of the needle guard from the retracted position to the second extended position. A lock locks the needle guard in the second extended position. A safety is proximate a proximal end of the housing and prevents movement of the needle guard from the first extended position to the retracted position in a storage position. The needle guard is moveable into the retracted position with the safety in an armed position. The safety resets the lock upon returning the safety to the storage position.

Abstract: A dental simulation machine including a support having a support surface for engagement by a finger of a user to support a hand of the user, the support surface being moveable between a plurality of positions.

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: Methods, systems, and computer program products for assessing a student in in an online discussion event using at least one processor of a computer includes obtaining discussion data comprising a plurality of discussion posts in a data file, each comprising a post author and post content, grouping the plurality of discussion posts of the data file into a plurality of discussion threads, classifying individual discussion posts of the plurality of discussion posts based on a post type, and assigning relative value units (RVUs) to at least one of the plurality of discussion posts, where the RVUs are time-normalized scores based on a complexity of the discussion post.

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 for predictively updating one or more user parameters associated with a user of a learning system includes predicting, based on the one or more user parameters, a predicted activity of the user, receiving an actual activity of the user, comparing the predicted activity to the actual activity, and updating the one or more user parameters in response to determining that the predicted activity does not match the actual activity. The method may further include scheduling one or more learning interactions based on the one or more updated learning parameters, where the scheduling includes selecting at least one of a timing of the one or more learning interactions or a type of the one or more learning interactions.

Abstract: A breastfeeding simulation system (BSS). The BSS includes a breast prosthesis having a pliable nipple, and a baby mannequin configured to interface with the breast prosthesis, the baby mannequin includes an articulating head, a motorized jaw, the articulating head further includes a mouth normally placed in a closed position by the motorized jaw, where the motorized jaw opens when an object is detected near the mouth and the baby mannequin is positioned according to a predetermined angular position, and a palate sensor, configured to provide a proper placement signal when the pliable nipple is placed at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A first tread pattern display system for new tread patterns includes a first upper sidewall part, a second upper sidewall part, a first tread shoulder part, a second tread shoulder part, and a middle tread part. The first upper sidewall part removably attaches to the first tread shoulder part by a plurality of projections extending from the first upper sidewall part to corresponding recesses in the first tread shoulder part.

Abstract: A penmanship device is provided to assist students learning to write consistently and evenly. The device comprises a body with a handle portion and an operational portion. The operational portion has at least two windows. A first window is used for alignment and a second window is used to write. A user writes a first letter of a first word within the confines of the second window. To write the next letter, the device is shifted so that an edge of the previous letter is aligned with a left lateral edge of the second window. This is repeated until the word is completed. To write the next word, the device is shifted so that an edge of a last letter of the previous word is aligned with a right lateral edge of the first window. In another embodiment, the device has three windows providing left-handed and right-handed support.

Abstract: New and unique puzzle mechanics, systems, and methods are described herein. A puzzle grid comprising linearly arranged intersecting words, with each individual letter placed on a separate puzzle tile, may be divided into a plurality of puzzle pieces, where each puzzle piece is formed of one or more contiguous puzzle tiles. Each puzzle piece shape conforms to one of a predefined set of shapes. To mix up the puzzle grid, identically shaped puzzle pieces may be randomly shuffled and rotated if required so that the puzzle layout remains unchanged whereas the letters are scrambled. Also puzzle pieces whose shape exhibit rotational symmetry may be optionally rotated within the puzzle layout. Letters may maintain upright legibility. A user may then attempt to solve the puzzle by swapping identically shaped puzzle pieces and optionally rotating puzzle pieces whose shape exhibit rotational symmetry.

Abstract: A representation of the skull (“a mask”) based upon imaging of the head enables simulation of surgical procedures. The mask is limited in extent to a zone extending above the inferior boundary of the maxilla in the axial plane, between the outer limits of the zygomatic bones in the sagittal plane, and anterior to the coronal suture of the skull in the coronal plane, and includes orbits and a nasal opening. The mask is detachably connected to a posterior base. The base includes a fluid retaining surface which forms a basin. A peripheral edge slidingly mates with a posterior portion of the mask to enable rotation of the mask. The base has a mounting surface for eye models that is posterior to each of the mask orbits. A drain port enables drainage from the base. A nasal structure resembling a nose is reversibly insertable into the nasal opening.

Abstract: A human body model is disclosed that can make an image acquired by a medical device similar to an image of a body lumen acquired during surgery. The human body model includes a main body portion that includes a lumen passing through a portion of the main body portion between a first surface and a second surface disposed on a side opposite to the first surface, and a tubular body that is provided in at least a part of the lumen and is made of another material different from the material of the main body portion. An acoustic impedance of the material of the tubular body being equal to an acoustic impedance of a body lumen, and a hardness of the material of the main body portion being higher than a hardness of the material of the tubular body.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for determining a visual acuity of a reader. The device includes a display adapted to present a first line of text to the reader and an input device adapted to receive signals corresponding to the first line of text. The device further includes a processor that is adapted to determine a reading score associated with the first line of text, generate an acuity parameter based on the reading score and the first readability vector, and determine the visual acuity of the reader based on the acuity parameter and a reference acuity parameter.