Systems and methods for use in mobile medical training

• US 20040201239A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pellegrin, Hank F. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,347,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/24.38
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/02 Adjustable operating tables; Controls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/001 Vehicles provided with medical equipment to perform operations or examinations
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/08 Hospitals, infirmaries, or the like; Schools; Prisons
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

An enclosure is provided that is adapted for mobile transport to a training site. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a laboratory section equipped with medical equipment and instrumentation. In another embodiment, a supply of non-living anatomic material is provided for conducting one or more training activities in the laboratory section to provide training to medical personnel. A supply relationship may be established with an anatomic material supplier to satisfy training activity requirements. In yet another embodiment, the enclosure includes a conference section sized to accommodate a group of medical personnel and equipped with audio/visual equipment and/or other training aids. The conference section and the laboratory section may be linked by an electronic communication system. A satellite communication system may be included to provide visual communication between the training site and a remote site. The conference and laboratory sections may include one or more expandable side portions to selectively enlarge the enclosure.

Claims

1. A mobile medical training system, comprising:

an enclosure adapted for transport to a training site, said enclosure including a laboratory section equipped with medical equipment and instrumentation; and

a supply of non-living anatomic material for conducting one or more training activities in said laboratory section to provide training to medical personnel.

2. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, wherein said non-living anatomic material comprises cadaveric material.

3. The mobile medical training system of claim 2, wherein said cadaveric material comprises at least a portion of the spinal column.

4. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, further comprising a refrigeration source for storing an amount of said non-living anatomic material.

5. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure further includes a preparation section for use in preparing material and devices for use in said laboratory section.

6. The mobile medical training system of claim 5, wherein said preparation section is equipped with an ultrasonic washer for cleaning instruments and devices for use in said laboratory section.

7. The mobile medical training system of claim 5, wherein said preparation section is equipped with a refrigerated compartment for storing an amount of said non-living anatomic material.

8. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure further includes a conference section sized to accommodate a group of medical personnel, said conference section being equipped with audio/visual equipment to facilitate training of the group of medical personnel.

9. The mobile medical training system of claim 8, wherein said laboratory section and said conference section are linked by an electronic communication system.

10. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes at least one laterally expandable portion for selective enlargement of said laboratory section.

11. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, wherein said laboratory section includes multiple training stations.

12. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, further comprising an examination table disposed within said laboratory section of said enclosure for supporting an amount of said non-living anatomic material.

13. The mobile medical training system of claim 12, further comprising an anchoring mechanism adapted to releasably connect said examination table to said enclosure.

14. The mobile medical training system of claim 12, wherein said examination table is pivotally coupled to said enclosure to provide pivotal movement between a stowed position and an examination position.

15. The mobile medical training system of claim 14, wherein said stowed position is arranged in a substantially vertical orientation and wherein said examination position is arranged in a substantially horizontal orientation.

16. The mobile medical training system of claim 12, wherein said examination table includes an adjustment mechanism adapted to selectively adjust a vertical position of said examination table.

17. The mobile medical training system of claim 12, wherein said examination table includes an adjustment mechanism adapted to selectively adjust an angular orientation of said examination table.

18. The mobile medical training system of claim 12, wherein said examination table is radioluscent.

19. The mobile medical training system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic communication system adapted to provide visual communication between said training site and a remote site.

20. The mobile medical training system of claim 19, wherein said electronic communication system is a satellite communication system.

21. The mobile medical training system of claim 19, wherein said remote site is a live operating room.

22. A method of training medical personnel, comprising:

providing an enclosure including a laboratory section equipped with medical equipment and instrumentation;

providing a supply of non-living anatomic material;

transporting the enclosure to a training site; and

conducting one or more training activities on the non-living anatomic material in the laboratory section of the enclosure to provide training to medical personnel.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising establishing a supply relationship with an anatomic material supplier.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the supply relationship includes transporting the non-living anatomic material to the training site.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the supply relationship includes providing mobile assistance and services relating to the supply of non-living anatomic material.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the enclosure further includes a conference section sized to accommodate a group of the medical personnel;

and

further comprising establishing electronic communication between the laboratory section and the conference section.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing an electronic communication system;

and

establishing visual communication between the training site and a remote site.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing the enclosure with one or more laterally-expandable portions;

and

expanding the one or more laterally-expandable portions to selective enlarge the enclosure.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a refrigeration source;

and

storing an amount of the non-living anatomic material in the refrigeration source.

30. (Cancelled)

31. A mobile medical training system comprising:

an enclosure adapted for transport to a training site, said enclosure including a laboratory section and a conference section, said laboratory section equipped with medical equipment and instrumentation for conducting one or more training activities to provide training to medical personnel, said conference section sized to accommodate a group of medical personnel; and

a supply of non-living anatomic material for conducting said training activities.

32. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, wherein said non-living anatomic material comprises cadaveric material.

33. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, further comprising an anatomic representation for conducting said training activities.

34. The mobile medical training system of claim 33, wherein said anatomic representation comprises a three-dimensional model of a portion of the anatomy.

35. The mobile medical training system of claim 33, wherein said anatomic representation comprises a virtual representation generated by an electronic simulation system.

36. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, wherein said conference section is equipped with audio/visual equipment to facilitate training of the group of medical personnel.

37. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, wherein said laboratory section and said conference section are linked by an electronic communication system.

38. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, wherein said laboratory section includes multiple training stations.

39. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, further comprising an electronic communication system adapted to provide visual communication between a remote site and at least one of said laboratory section and said conference section.

40. The mobile medical training system of claim 39, wherein said electronic communication system is a satellite communication system.

41. The mobile medical training system of claim 39, wherein said remote site is a live operating room.

42. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, wherein said enclosure further includes a preparation section for use in preparing material and devices for use in said laboratory section.

43. The mobile medical training system of claim 31, wherein said enclosure includes at least one laterally expandable portion for selective enlargement of at least one of said laboratory section and said conference section.

44. (Cancelled)

46. (Cancelled)

47. (Cancelled)

48. A mobile medical training system, comprising:

an enclosure adapted for transport to a training site, said enclosure equipped with medical equipment and instrumentation; and

an anatomic representation for conducting one or more training activities to provide training to medical personnel, said anatomic representation comprising a virtual representation generated by an electronic simulation system.

45. The mobile medical training system of claim 48, wherein said anatomic representation further comprises a three-dimensional model of a portion of the anatomy.

49. The mobile medical training system of claim 48, wherein said electronic simulation system is at least partially controlled by electronic equipment remote from the mobile medical training system.

50. The mobile medical training system of claim 48, wherein said anatomic representation comprises a virtual representation of at least a portion of the spinal column.