Interactive Education System for Teaching Patient Care

• US 20090148822A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: gaumard scientific company, inc
• Original Assignee: gaumard scientific company, inc
• Inventors: Carvajal, Miguel, Rodriguez, Alberto, Eggert, John S., Eggert, Michael S.
• Application Number:
  US11/952,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20090148822A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/271
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/281 for pregnancy, birth or obstetrics G09B23/286 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/32 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

An eye assembly for use in a patient simulator is provided. The eye assembly includes an iris diaphragm having a moveable inner portion defining an opening. The inner portion of the iris diaphragm is movable radially from a first position wherein the opening has a first diameter and a second position wherein the opening has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The iris diaphragm is configured for use in a simulated eye. The eye assembly also includes a dilation actuator in communication with the inner portion of the iris diaphragm for selectively moving the inner portion between the first and second positions to simulate dilation of an eye.

Claims

1. An eye assembly for use in a patient simulator, the eye assembly comprising:

an iris diaphragm having a moveable inner portion defining an opening, the inner portion movable radially from a first position wherein the opening has a first diameter and a second position wherein the opening has a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter; and

a dilation actuator in communication with the inner portion of the iris diaphragm for selectively moving the inner portion between the first and second positions to simulate dilation of an eye.

2. The eye assembly of claim 1, wherein the iris diaphragm includes a moveable pin for radially expanding and contracting the inner portion between the first and second positions.

3. The eye assembly of claim 2, wherein the pin is movable about an outer circumference of the iris diaphragm.

4. The eye assembly of claim 3, wherein the dilation actuator comprises a motor, the motor being connected to the pin to allow the motor to move the pin.

5. The eye assembly of claim 4, wherein the motor is connected to the pin via a guide line.

6. The eye assembly of claim 1, wherein position of the inner portion of the iris diaphragm is at least partially based on an amount of light received by an optical detector.

7. The eye assembly of claim 6, wherein the optical detector is in communication with dilation actuator.

8. The eye assembly of claim 7, wherein the optical detector is positioned within a portion of a simulated eye.

9. The eye assembly of claim 1, further comprising an eyelid assembly for simulating blinking.

10. The eye assembly of claim 9, wherein the eyelid assembly comprises:

an eyelid moveable between an open position and a closed position; and

a blinking actuator in communication with the eyelid for selectively moving the eyelid between the open and closed positions to simulate blinking of the eye.

11. The eye assembly of claim 10, wherein the blinking actuator comprises a pneumatic system.

12. The eye assembly of claim 11, wherein the blinking actuator comprises an opening bag for urging the eyelid towards the open position upon inflation and a closing bag for urging the eyelid towards the closed position upon inflation.

13. The eye assembly of claim 12, further comprising an air supply in communication with the opening and closing bags.

14. The eye assembly of claim 13, further comprising an opening valve assembly for controlling air flow into and out of the opening bag.

15. The eye assembly of claim 14, further comprising a closing valve assembly for controlling air flow into and out of the closing bag.

16. The eye assembly of claim 12, wherein the opening bag moves a plate away from the eyelid when inflated and wherein the closing bag moves the plate towards the eyelid when inflated.

17. The eye assembly of claim 16, wherein the plate is connected to the eyelid such that movement of the plate causes corresponding movement to the eyelid.

18. The eye assembly of claim 17, wherein a spring is positioned between the plate and the eyelid to accelerate opening and closing of the eyelid.

19. The eye assembly of claim 10, wherein the dilation actuator and the blinking actuator are configured for communication with a master module of a patient simulator.

20. The eye assembly of claim 19, wherein the dilation actuator and the blinking actuator are configured to execute commands received from the master module relating to the simulated dilation and blinking.