Abstract: Disclosed are a method for creating a surgical training model, a surgical training model apparatus, a bone model, an article that emulates tissue of an animal musculoskeletal system, an article that emulates animal fat tissue, and an article that emulates animal skin tissue. One version of the method comprises placing a spinal vertebrae model in a cavity model that emulates an animal body cavity; forming a first layer on top of the vertebrae model, wherein the first layer emulates an animal muscle tissue; placing a second layer over the first layer, wherein the second layer emulates an animal fat tissue; and placing a third layer over the second layer, wherein the third layer emulates an animal skin tissue. The spinal vertebrae model can be 3D printed from a thermoplastic polymer and infiltrated with a foam into an interior space of the 3D printed spinal vertebrae model.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical training model apparatus and a method for creating a surgical training model. The training model apparatus includes a functional brain model that responds to electrical stimulation and enables users to simulate cortical brain mapping outside the operating room. Methods for creating a surgical training model include consideration of engineering design inputs and other parameters.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (600) for acquiring data relating to an environment of interest. The methods comprise: receiving by a telescope (110) light scattered by an object within the environment; focusing a cone of light towards a spatial light modulator (112) which is placed a certain distance from the telescope on a telescope-focus surface; and deflecting a select amount of the cone of light by the spatial light modulator towards a photodiode array (114), whereby a sensitivity across the photodiode array is made uniform.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (600) for acquiring data relating to an environment of interest. The methods comprise: receiving by a telescope (110) light scattered by an object within the environment; focusing a cone of light towards a spatial light modulator (112) which is placed a certain distance from the telescope on a telescope-focus surface; and deflecting a select amount of the cone of light by the spatial light modulator towards a photodiode array (114), whereby a sensitivity across the photodiode array is made uniform.