التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
| العنوان: |
Medical training simulator including contact-less sensors |
| Document Number: |
20050181342 |
| تاريخ النشر: |
August 18, 2005 |
| Appl. No: |
11/101776 |
| Application Filed: |
April 07, 2005 |
| مستخلص: |
A medical training simulator includes contact-less sensors and corresponding detection objects, configured to enable sensor data collected during a training exercise to be used to evaluate the performance of the training exercise. The simulator includes a simulated anatomical structure, at least one contact-less sensor, and at least one detection object. During a training exercise, a spatial relationship between the contact-less sensor and the detection object produces data for evaluating performance of the training exercise. Either the contact-less sensor or the detection object is embedded in the simulated physiological structure, while the other is included in either a support for the simulated physiological structure, or as part of a tool used during the training exercise. Many types of contact-less sensors can be employed, including capacitance sensors, impedance sensors, inductive sensors, and magnetic sensors. |
| Inventors: |
Toly, Christopher C. (Seattle, WA, US) |
| Claim: |
1. A physiological training and evaluation simulator suitable for training and testing personnel, comprising: (a) a simulated physiological structure; and (b) at least one contact-less sensor configured to respond to a proximity of a detection target during a training simulation, the detection target being incorporated into at least one of a tool to be used during the training simulation and the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
2. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the simulated physiological structure comprises an elastomeric material selected to enhance a realism of the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
3. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor is incorporated into the simulated physiological structure, in a way so that the at least one contact-less sensor is hidden from view. |
| Claim: |
4. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the simulated physiological structure is a replaceable component, such that after the training simulation, the simulated physiological structure that was used is removed from the physiological training and evaluation simulator and replaced with a fresh simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
5. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 4, further comprising a sensor bed into which the at least one contact-less sensor is incorporated, the sensor bed being configured to support the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
6. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 5, wherein the sensor bed is incorporated in a box trainer. |
| Claim: |
7. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 5, wherein the detection target is incorporated in a portion of the simulated physiological structure so that the at least one contact-less sensor is triggered when the simulated physiological structure is properly positioned relative to the sensor bed. |
| Claim: |
8. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 5, wherein the detection target is incorporated in a portion of the simulated physiological structure that is to be removed during the training simulation, so that when the portion is successfully removed, the at least one contact-less sensor is no longer triggered by the detection target, indicating that the training simulation has been successfully performed with the removal of said portion. |
| Claim: |
9. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor comprises at least one of an inductive sensor, an eddy-current sensor, a capacitance sensor, and an impedance sensor. |
| Claim: |
10. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor comprises a magnetic sensor. |
| Claim: |
11. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor is encapsulated in an elastomeric material. |
| Claim: |
12. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the simulated physiological structure comprises at least one of a simulated joint and a simulated tissue structure. |
| Claim: |
13. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor is shaped like an annular ring. |
| Claim: |
14. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, further comprising a processor logically coupled to the at least one contact-less sensor, the processor manipulating a detection signal provided by the at least one contact-less sensor to provide an evaluation of the training simulation. |
| Claim: |
15. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 14, wherein the processor compares sensor data obtained during a simulated procedure with sensor data obtained during a baseline procedure, in order to evaluate a performance of the simulated procedure. |
| Claim: |
16. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 14, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor comprises a plurality of analog contact-less sensors distributed throughout the physiological training and evaluation simulator, so that by monitoring the plurality of analog contact-less sensors, the processor determines a three-dimensional location of the detection target during the training simulation. |
| Claim: |
17. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the detection target is incorporated in the tool used during the training simulation, and the at least one contact-less sensor is disposed within a portion of the simulated physiological structure adjacent to which the tool will be disposed during a successful completion of the training simulation. |
| Claim: |
18. The physiological training and evaluation simulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact-less sensor is incorporated in the tool used during the training simulation, and the detection target is disposed within a portion of the simulated physiological structure adjacent to which the tool will be disposed during a successful completion of the training simulation. |
| Claim: |
19. A medical trainer for teaching and testing personnel, comprising a simulated physiological structure including one of: (a) a contact-less sensor configured to respond to a proximity of a detection object during a training exercise, without requiring contact between the contact-less sensor and a detection object; and (b) a detection object being configured to trigger a contact-less sensor during the training exercise, wherein triggering of a contact-less sensor does not require contact between a contact-less sensor and the detection object. |
| Claim: |
20. The medical trainer of claim 19, wherein the contact-less sensor comprises at least one of: an eddy current sensor, an inductive sensor, an impedance sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a giant magneto-resistive sensor. |
| Claim: |
21. The medical trainer of claim 20, wherein the contact-less sensor comprises at least one of: a reed switch, a Hall Effect sensor, and an ultra wide-band impedance sensor. |
| Claim: |
22. The medical trainer of claim 19, further comprising a processor logically coupled to the contact-less sensor, the processor manipulating data provided by the contact-less sensor to evaluate the training exercise. |
| Claim: |
23. The medical trainer of claim 22, wherein the processor is configured to compare sensor data obtained from the contact-less sensor during the training exercise with sensor data obtained from the contact-less sensor during a baseline procedure, in order to evaluate the training exercise. |
| Claim: |
24. The medical trainer of claim 19, further comprising a tool to be used during the training exercise, the contact-less sensor being incorporated in the tool, and the detection object being disposed within a portion of the simulated physiological structure adjacent to which the tool will be disposed during a successful completion of the training exercise. |
| Claim: |
25. The medical trainer of claim 19, further comprising a tool to be used during the training exercise, the detection object being incorporated in the tool, and the contact-less sensor being disposed within a portion of the simulated physiological structure adjacent to which the tool will be disposed during a successful completion of the training simulation. |
| Claim: |
26. The medical trainer of claim 19, further comprising a sensor bed in which the contact-less sensor is disposed, the sensor bed supporting the simulated physiological structure, the detection object being disposed within a portion of the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
27. The medical trainer of claim 26, wherein the simulated physiological structure comprises a replaceable component, so that after the training exercise is completed, the simulated physiological structure is removed and replaced with a fresh simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
28. The medical trainer of claim 26, wherein the sensor bed is incorporated in a box trainer. |
| Claim: |
29. The medical trainer of claim 26, wherein the detection object is incorporated in a portion of the simulated physiological structure so that the contact-less sensor is triggered when the simulated physiological structure is properly positioned relative to the sensor bed. |
| Claim: |
30. The medical trainer of claim 26, wherein the detection object is incorporated in a portion of the simulated physiological structure that is to be removed during the training exercise, so that when the portion is successfully removed, the contact-less sensor is no longer triggered by the detection object, indicating that the training exercise has been successfully performed. |
| Claim: |
31. A medical training simulator suitable for training and testing personnel, comprising: (a) a contact-less sensor; (b) a detection object adapted to trigger the contact-less sensor; and (c) a simulated physiological structure, one of the contact-less sensor and the detection object being incorporated in the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
32. The medical training simulator of claim 31, wherein the detection object is incorporated in the simulated physiological structure, further comprising a sensor bed that includes the contact-less sensor. |
| Claim: |
33. The medical training simulator of claim 31, wherein the contact-less sensor is incorporated into the simulated physiological structure, further comprising a tool that includes the contact-less sensor, the tool being moved relative to the simulated physiological structure during a training exercise. |
| Claim: |
34. The medical training simulator of claim 31, further comprising a processor logically coupled to the contact-less sensor, the processor comparing sensor data obtained from the contact-less sensor during a training exercise with sensor data obtained from the contact-less sensor during a baseline procedure, in order to evaluate a performance of the training exercise. |
| Claim: |
35. A medical training system for teaching and testing personnel, comprising: (a) a tool configured to be used in connection with a performance of a simulated medical procedure, the tool comprising one of a detection object and a contact-less sensor; and (b) a simulated physiological structure comprising the other of the detection object and the contact-less sensor. |
| Claim: |
36. The medical training system of claim 35, further comprising a processor that is logically coupled to the contact-less sensor, the processor manipulating data provided by the contact-less sensor to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure. |
| Claim: |
37. The medical training system of claim 36, wherein the processor is configured to perform at least one of: (a) comparing sensor data obtained from the contact-less sensor during the simulated medical procedure with sensor data obtained from the contact-less sensor during a baseline procedure, in order to evaluate the simulated medical procedure; and (b) monitoring a position of the tool during the simulated medical procedure. |
| Claim: |
38. The medical training system of claim 35, wherein the detection object comprises a magnet, and wherein the contact-less sensor comprises a magnetic sensor. |
| Claim: |
39. The medical training system of claim 35, wherein the detection object comprises a metallic mass; and wherein the contact-less sensor comprises at least one of a capacitance sensor, an impedance sensor, and an inductive sensor. |
| Claim: |
40. The medical training system of claim 35, wherein the contact-less sensor comprises at least one of a magnetic sensor, a capacitance sensor, an impedance sensor, and an inductive sensor. |
| Claim: |
41. The medical training system of claim 35, wherein the tool comprises a sensor bed including the contact-less sensor, the sensor bed being configured to support the simulated physiological structure comprising the detection object. |
| Claim: |
42. The medical training system of claim 41, wherein the detection object is disposed in a portion of the simulated physiological structure that will be removed if the simulated medical procedure is performed correctly, so that when the portion is not removed, the contact-less sensor is triggered, and when the portion is removed, the contact-less sensor is not triggered. |
| Claim: |
43. The medical training system of claim 35, wherein the detection object is disposed in a portion of the simulated physiological structure, the tool comprising the contact-less sensor adjacent to which detection object will be disposed if the simulated medical procedure is performed correctly, so that when the simulated medical procedure is performed correctly, the contact-less sensor is triggered. |
| Claim: |
44. The medical training system of claim 35, wherein the contact-less sensor is disposed in a portion of the simulated physiological structure, adjacent to which the tool comprising the detection object will be disposed if the simulated medical procedure is performed correctly, such that when the simulated medical procedure is performed correctly, the contact-less sensor is triggered. |
| Claim: |
45. A method for evaluating a performance of a simulated medical procedure, comprising the steps of: (a) performing the simulated medical procedure, wherein proper performance of the simulated medical procedure requires moving one of a contact-less sensor and a detection object relative to the other of the contact-less sensor and the detection object, the contact-less sensor producing sensor data during the simulated medical procedure in response to the detection object; (b) collecting the sensor data during the performance of the simulated medical procedure, wherein the sensor data are collected without requiring physical contact between the contact-less sensor and the detection object; and (c) using the sensor data to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure. |
| Claim: |
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of using the sensor data to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of comparing the sensor data obtained during the simulated medical procedure with sensor data obtained from a baseline procedure, in order to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure. |
| Claim: |
47. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of performing the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of removing a portion of a simulated physiological structure from a balance of the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of using the sensor data to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure comprises the steps of determining if the portion of the simulated physiological structure removed contained one of the contact-less sensor and the detection object; and if so, concluding that the simulated medical procedure was performed correctly. |
| Claim: |
49. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of performing the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of moving a tool comprising one of the contact-less sensor and the detection object relative to the simulated physiological structure, the other of the contact-less sensor and the detection object being disposed in a portion of the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of using the sensor data to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of determining if the tool was properly positioned relative to the portion of the simulated physiological structure during the simulated medical procedure, and if so, concluding that the simulated medical procedure was performed correctly. |
| Claim: |
51. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of collecting sensor data during the performance of the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of collecting the sensor data based on at least one of: a capacitance, an impedance, a magnetic field, and an inductance. |
| Claim: |
52. A method for evaluating a performance of a simulated medical procedure, comprising the steps of: (a) changing a spatial relationship between a tool and at least a portion of a simulated physiological structure during the performance of the simulated medical procedure; (b) collecting sensor data corresponding to a spatial relationship between the tool and at least a portion of the simulated physiological structure during the performance of a simulated medical procedure, without requiring that there be a physical contact between the tool and the simulated physiological structure; and (c) using the sensor data to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure. |
| Claim: |
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of using the sensor data to evaluate the performance of the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of comparing the sensor data obtained during the simulated medical procedure with sensor data obtained from a baseline procedure. |
| Claim: |
54. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of changing the spatial relationship between the tool and at least the portion of the simulated physiological structure during the performance of the simulated medical procedure comprises the step of removing the portion of the simulated physiological structure from a balance of the simulated physiological structure. |
| Claim: |
55. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of changing a spatial relationship between the tool and at least a portion of the simulated physiological structure during the performance of a simulated medical procedure comprises the step of moving the tool while keeping the simulated physiological structure in a fixed position. |
| Claim: |
56. A medical training simulator suitable for training and testing personnel, comprising: (a) a contact-less sensor; (b) a detection object adapted to trigger the contact-less sensor; and (c) a simulated physiological structure, one of the contact-less sensor and the detection object being incorporated in the simulated physiological structure. |
| Current U.S. Class: |
434262/000 |
| رقم الانضمام: |
edspap.20050181342 |
| قاعدة البيانات: |
USPTO Patent Applications |