Abstract: A portable booster seat for supporting a child on a chair having a retractable clamping arm that is extendable to an underside surface of a chair seat and selectively moveable to clamp the booster seat to the chair.

Abstract: An integrated patient simulator for training or other purposes capable of realistically reacting to a current physiological state and physiological model. A patient simulator and method of patient simulation wherein a physical gas composition representative of a simulated alveolar gas composition in a lung model is determined, and a simulated blood gas machine simulates an output representative of a simulated physiological state based at least in part on the simulated alveolar gas composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting and volatilizing a volatile drug in a patient simulator, including a manikin, a gas supply and a drug volatilization device. The drug volatilization device includes a thermal conductor defining a gas propagation cavity, a sintered insert, and a needle accepting cavity. A simulated response to the drug is calculated, and an output device associated with the manikin is actuated to simulate the effect of the drug.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for quantifying the amount of fluid administered to a patient simulator during simulated medical surgery. A fluid administered to a manikin and delivered to a reservoir associated with the manikin. The quantity of fluid administered is determined based on the change of weight of the reservoir. A simulated response to the administered fluid can be computed, based on the determined quantity of fluid administered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating lung sounds in real time in an integrated patient simulator uses a manikin having an associated simulated lung comprising at least one bellows and at least one sensor for sensing the position of the bellows. Based on a physiological state of the patient simulator, a audible lung sound is directed through a plurality of sound output devices located at different locations on the manikin. The lung sound corresponds to an appropriate physiological sound at that particular location on the manikin and is synchronized with the position of the bellows. Synchronization occurs by continuously determining a volume of the bellows to determine a respiratory phase and a transition in the respiratory phase. The respiratory phase is determined by calculating a first derivative of the bellows volume over time and the transition in the respiratory phase is determined by calculating a second derivative of the bellows volume over time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of simulating breathing sounds in real time involves the use of a manikin having a lung bellows. A sensor associated with the lung bellows is used to continuously determine the volume such that, using standard mathematical procedures based on the time and volume determined, a first derivative of the bellows volume over time can be calculated to determine the phase of the respiratory cycle (e.g. inhalation or exhalation). In addition, by calculating a second derivative of the bellows volume over time, a transition in phase of the respiratory cycle can be determined. Based upon the first and second derivatives of the bellows volume over time, a sound is output through an output device, such as a speaker, located proximate the mouth of the manikin. The outputted sounds are pre-recorded audible sounds of breathing corresponding to appropriate physiological sounds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and identifying a drug administered in real time in an integrated patient simulator uses a manikin which receives the administration of the drug. A bar code is affixed to an implement for administering the drug, wherein the implement is an intravenous drip bag or a syringe. A scanner is used to scan the bar code to identify the type and concentration of the drug contained within the implement. The information obtained by the scanner is then used by a computer associated with the patient simulator to effect a response in the manikin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating bronchial resistance or dilation in real time in an integrated patient simulator during simulated medical procedures is realized by a manikin having a simulated trachea and a simulated lung, a conduit interconnecting the simulated trachea and the simulated lung for propagating a flow of gas, and a restricting device for variably restricting the flow of gas through the conduit. The restricting device includes a nautilus shaped cam and a stepper motor for rotating the cam such that a selected surface of the cam is disposed within a opening in the conduit so as to continuously vary the size of the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synchronizing output devices related to a cardiac rhythm in real time in an integrated patient simulator during simulated medical surgery includes a manikin, at least one output device including devices for simulating a cardiac pulse and a radial pulse, a first computer associated with the patient simulator for generating an electric cardiac rhythm synchronizing pulse, a second computer for receiving the cardiac rhythm synchronizing pulse and generating a simulated response thereto, and a distributed processing network for transmitting the cardiac rhythm synchronizing pulse between the first computer and the second computer and for transmitting the simulated response between the second computer and the output device. In this way, a time offset to allow for simulated travel time or lag of the simulated cardiac pulse through the body can be added by the second computer where appropriate for certain subsystems or monitors associated with the patient simulator.

Abstract: A self-regulating, simulated lung for use in real time in simulated medical procedures comprises at least one bellows capable of receiving and expelling gas, a means for actuating the bellows depending upon a time- and event-based script, a computer model or a combination thereof, at least one mass flow controller capable of directing the gas into the bellows, and a volumetric pump for continuously expelling a constant flow rate of gas from the bellows. The means for actuating the bellows comprises a double acting piston connected to the bellows and having a first constant pressure and a second variable pressure acting on respective sides of the piston, whereby non-linear compliances may be simulated.