US7192284B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive education system for teaching patient care
Assignee: Gaumard Scientific Co Inc
•
Filing: 2003-11-25
•
Granted: 2007-03-20
•
Expires: 2023-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An interactive education system is described for teaching patient care to a user. In one example, the system includes a model of a human body, including lungs, a passage in fluid communication with the lungs, and a breathing valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the passage. The system also includes a pneumatic module for delivering pressurized fluid to the fluid passage. A processor may be used to control the breathing valve. A memory is accessible to the processor for storing instructions for execution by the processor, including instructions for manipulating the breathing valve to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid from the pneumatic module to the lungs. The processor may also produce various physiological indicators, including waveforms, a pulse, etc. The indicators may be prerecorded or dynamically generated. An external device may be used to wirelessly control the processor.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Eggert
- 👤 Michael S. Eggert
- 👤 Devin Johns
- 👤 Phillip Vallejo
- 👤 Alberto Rodriguez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:43
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B23/00; G09B23/28; G09B23/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A simulator system for teaching patient care to a user, the system comprising: a model of at least a portion of a human body, wherein the model comprises first and second lungs, a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the lungs, and a breathing valve, wherein the breathing valve is adapted to control the flow of fluid through the first fluid passage; a pneumatic module in fluid communication with first fluid passage and adapted for delivering pressurized fluid to the first fluid passage; a processor accessible to the breathing valve; and a memory accessible to the processor for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for manipulating the breathing valve to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid from the pneumatic module through the first fluid passage to the first and second lungs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A simulator system for teaching patient care to a user, the system comprising: a model of at least a portion of a human body, wherein the model comprises first and second lungs, a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the lungs, and a breathing valve, wherein the breathing valve is adapted to control the flow of fluid through the first fluid passage; a pneumatic module in fluid communication with first fluid passage and adapted for delivering pressurized fluid to the first fluid passage; a processor accessible to the breathing valve; and a memory accessible to the processor for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for manipulating the breathing valve to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid from the pneumatic module through the first fluid passage to the first and second lungs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising a fluid exhaust passage located within the model and adapted for directing fluid that is exiting the first and second lungs out of a mouth of the model.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The simulator system of claim 2 wherein the fluid exhaust passage is in fluid communication with the breathing valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising first and second lung valves accessible to the processor and positioned between the breathing valve and the first and second lungs, wherein the first lung valve controls the flow of fluid to the first lung, and wherein the second lung valve controls the flow of fluid to the second lung.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising: a first fluid reservoir; a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the first fluid reservoir and the pneumatic module; and a fluid reservoir valve positioned in the second fluid passage between the first fluid reservoir and the pneumatic module, wherein the fluid reservoir valve is adapted to inflate the first fluid reservoir by controlling the flow of fluid through the second fluid passage to the first fluid reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The simulator system of claim 5 further comprising a second fluid reservoir associated with the second fluid passage and controllable by the fluid reservoir valve, wherein the first and second fluid reservoirs are positioned within the model to serve as pneumothoracotomy sites.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The simulator system of claim 6 wherein the first and second fluid reservoirs each comprise a self-sealing latex septum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The simulator system of claim 6 further comprising a one-way valve positioned between the pneumatic module and the first and second fluid reservoirs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator system of claim 5 wherein the first fluid reservoir is positioned within the model to simulate tongue edema when inflated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator system of claim 5 wherein the first fluid reservoir is positioned within the model to simulate pharyngeal swelling when inflated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The simulator system of claim 5 wherein the first fluid reservoir is positioned within the model to simulate laryngospasm when inflated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The simulator system of claim 5 wherein the fluid reservoir valve is accessible to the processor; and wherein the plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor include instructions for manipulating the fluid reservoir valve to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid from the pneumatic module through the second fluid passage to the first fluid reservoir.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising a model heart, wherein the plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor include instructions for altering a pace of the heart.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The simulator system of claim 13 wherein the heart is modeled in software.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising at least one palpable pulse actuator, wherein the plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor include instructions for varying an intensity of the actuator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The simulator system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor include instructions for synchronizing emulated EKG signals with the palpable pulse actuator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of speakers controllable by the processor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The simulator system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor include instructions for synchronizing heart sounds projected from at least one of the speakers with a selected cardiac rhythm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The simulator system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor include instructions for projecting lung sounds via at least one of the speakers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The simulator system of claim 17 further comprising a speech synthesizer adapted for projecting simulated speech via at least one of the speakers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The simulator system of claim 20 wherein the speech is pre-recorded.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The simulator system of claim 20 wherein the speech is dynamically generated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising a wireless interface between the processor and an external device, wherein the processor is adapted to be controlled by the external device via the wireless interface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The simulator system of claim 1 wherein the model further comprises a plurality of sensors accessible to the processor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The simulator system of claim 24 wherein the sensors include an external cardiac pacemaker sensor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The simulator system of claim 24 wherein the sensors include a chest compression sensor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The simulator system of claim 24 wherein the sensors include a ventilation sensor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The simulator system of claim 24 wherein the sensors include a bilateral blood pressure cuff pressure sensor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The simulator system of claim 24 wherein the sensors include a defibrillation/cardioversion sensor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The simulator system of claim 1 further comprising a battery located within the model.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The simulator system of claim 30 further comprising a power supply adapted for providing power to the simulator system using line power or the battery.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The simulator system of claim 31 wherein the power supply is adapted to provide power to the simulator system using line power when attached to an external power source, and using battery power when not attached to an external power source.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator of claim 30 wherein the battery is removable and adapted for charging by a charging device external to the simulator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
120 words
A simulator system for teaching patient care to a user, the system comprising: a model comprising first and second lungs, a first air passage adapted for providing air to the lungs, and a first valve, wherein the first valve is adapted to control the flow of air through the first air passage; a pneumatic module adapted for delivering air to the first air passage; a processor adapted for controlling the first valve; and a memory accessible to the processor for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for controlling the first valve to regulate the flow of air from the pneumatic module through the first air passage to the first and second lungs.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
120 words
A simulator system for teaching patient care to a user, the system comprising: a model comprising first and second lungs, a first air passage adapted for providing air to the lungs, and a first valve, wherein the first valve is adapted to control the flow of air through the first air passage; a pneumatic module adapted for delivering air to the first air passage; a processor adapted for controlling the first valve; and a memory accessible to the processor for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for controlling the first valve to regulate the flow of air from the pneumatic module through the first air passage to the first and second lungs.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The simulator system of claim 34 further comprising: a second air passage associated with an inflatable reservoir and the pneumatic module; and a second valve positioned between the inflatable reservoir and the pneumatic module, wherein the second valve is adapted to inflate the inflatable reservoir by controlling the flow of air through the second air passage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
The simulator system of claim 35 wherein the pneumatic module comprises: a compressor; a primary reservoir in fluid communication with the compressor; a secondary reservoir in fluid communication with the primary reservoir; a regulator positioned between the primary and secondary reservoirs, wherein the regulator is adapted to maintain the secondary reservoir at a lower pressure than the primary reservoir; and a compressor controller in fluid communication with the compressor and the primary reservoir.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The simulator system of claim 36 wherein the first air passage is in fluid communication with the secondary reservoir.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The simulator system of claim 37 wherein the second air passage is in fluid communication with the primary reservoir.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
The simulator system of claim 36 wherein the compressor controller comprises: a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the primary reservoir; a comparator for comparing a pressure detected by the pressure transducer to a predefined pressure threshold; and a relay associated with the comparator and the compressor, wherein the relay is adapted for providing power to the compressor upon receiving a signal from the comparator.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
51 words
The simulator system of claim 34 wherein the instructions include instructions for: providing a plurality of scenarios, wherein each scenario is associated with at least one physiological behavior; enabling a user to select one of the plurality of scenarios; and simulating the physiological behavior of the selected scenario using the model.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator system of claim 40 wherein the instructions include instructions for linking together a plurality of scenarios into a single scenario.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The simulator system of claim 40 wherein the instructions include instructions for trending, wherein a parameter associated with a scenario is altered as the scenario is executed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The simulator system of claim 40 further comprising a wireless interface associated with the processor, wherein the processor is controllable via the wireless interface by an external device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator system of claim 40 wherein instructions include instructions for creating a plurality of waveforms that correspond to the selected scenario.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The simulator system of claim 44 wherein at least some of the waveforms are dynamically generated by the processor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-03-19 | 2010-09-18 | 2011-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-03-19 | 2014-09-18 | 2015-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-03-19 | 2018-09-18 | 2019-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |