METHODS, SYSTEMS AND KIT FOR DEMONSTRATING MEDICAL PROCEDURE

• US 20140272873A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Svensson, Bjorn G., Green, Michael L., Colao, Caroline A., Hales, Thomas G., Saso, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,446,060 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/268
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/34 with removable parts

Abstract

A teaching aid has visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism. The teaching aid includes (i) a template having visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism; and (ii) a plurality of connectors for connecting a medical device to the template. The template comprises (a) a base, and (b) visual indicia on the base, simulating the circulatory system of an organism.

Claims

1. A teaching aid with visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the teaching aid comprising:

(i) a template having visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the template comprising;

a. a base; and

b. visual indicia on the base simulating the circulatory system of an organism; and

(ii) a plurality of connectors for connecting a medical device to the template.

2. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of panels connected together, wherein the panels are selectively moved with respect to each other.

3. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the connectors are mounted adjacent or on a path formed by the indicia simulating the circulatory system.

4. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the connectors comprise a tab extending integrally from the base, the tab having a first end connected to the base and a free end that is initially coplanar with the base, but is selectively raised away from the base in order to position a medical device between the free end of the tab and the base.

5. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a waterproof material that connects individual panels of the base to each other.

6. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the connectors is selectively coupled to a simulated anatomical object.

7. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising a simulated anatomical object that is selectively mounted on the template adjacent a path formed by the indicia simulating the circulatory system.

8. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising a radio-opaque material on the template.

9. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising a support assembly configured to be mounted adjacent the template to provide support to at least a portion of the base to thereby simulate environmental conditions of a medical procedure.

10. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising a supplemental sheet having visual indicia that corresponds to the visual indicia of the template.

11. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein the template further comprises a supplemental sheet that is coupled to the template and further comprising a simulated anatomical object that is selectively mounted between the template and the supplemental sheet.

12. A teaching aid as recited in claim 1, wherein the template further comprises a supplemental sheet that is coupled to the template and further comprising a support assembly that is selectively mounted between the template and the supplemental sheet.

13. A teaching apparatus comprising:

a plurality of visual display members flexibly interconnected together, each of the plurality of visual display members illustrating a portion of an anatomy of an organism; and

a plurality of connectors mounted on a surface of at least one visual display member of the plurality of visual display members, the plurality of connectors being disposed adjacent a display of certain simulated elongated vasculature of the anatomy of the organism, each connector of the plurality of connectors being configured to receive a medical device disposable within the anatomy of the organism.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising at least one radiopaque marker formed on the plurality of visual display members.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors comprises a tab having an opening and a slit, the slit communicating with the opening and the opening being configured to receive the medical device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each tab is a flexible member with a first portion on one side of the slit and a second portion on another side of the slit being moveable independently to allow passage of the medical device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each visual display member comprises a water-proof cover, and wherein the material that forms each water proof cover also forms a flexible connection between adjacent visual display members of the plurality of visual display members.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a support assembly selectively positionable relative to at least one visual display member of the plurality of visual display members.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of simulated vascular objects selectively coupled to at least one of the plurality of visual display members.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of visual display members are configured to be folded one on top of another sequentially, with an end visual display member overlapping the other folded visual display members.

21. A kit for teaching techniques relating to treating circulatory system ailments, the kit comprising:

(i) a teaching aid with visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the teaching aid comprising;

a. a template having visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the template comprising;

a base; and

visual indicia on the base simulating the circulatory system of an organism; and

b. a plurality of connectors for connecting a medical device to the template;

(ii) a medical device; and

(iii) a container for receiving and storing the teaching aid and the medical device.

22. A teaching aid with visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the teaching aid comprising:

(iii) a template having visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the template comprising;

a base; and

visual indicia on the base simulating the circulatory system of an organism; and

(iv) a plurality of connectors for connecting a medical device to the template, the connectors being mounted on a top surface of the template adjacent a path of the indicia simulating the circulatory system, such that the medical device can be placed on the connectors so as to simulate following the path of the circulatory system.

23. A teaching aid as recited in claim 22, wherein the teaching aid can be folded onto itself in order to simulate a clinical environment.

24. A teaching aid as recited in claim 22, wherein the teaching aid can be rolled into a storage position.

25. A teaching aid as recited in claim 22, wherein at least one of the connectors is a dual track connector.

26. A teaching aid as recited in claim 22, further comprising one or more attachment members on a bottom surface of the template such that the teaching aid can be folded onto itself and maintained in a desired folded position in order to simulate a clinical environment.

27. A teaching aid as recited in claim 22, wherein the teaching aid is comprised of hinged panels having different sizes, such that the teaching aid conveniently rolls into a storage position.

28. A method for demonstrating a use of a medical device, the method comprising:

positioning an aid in preparation for demonstrating a use of a medical device, the teaching aid including;

a template having visual indicia thereon simulating the circulatory system of an organism, the template comprising;

a base; and

visual indicia simulating the circulatory system of an organism; and

a plurality of connectors for connecting a medical device to the template;

following positioning the aid, advancing a medical device; and

demonstrating the use of the medical device following advancing the medical device.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein positioning the teaching aid comprises unrolling or unfolding the teaching aid.

30. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein unrolling or unfolding the teaching aid comprises unrolling or unfolding the teaching aid to a planar configuration.

31. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein unrolling or unfolding the teaching aid comprises unrolling or unfolding the teaching aid to a non-planar configuration.

32. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein positioning the teaching aid comprises positioning a support assembly relative to the base.

33. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising positioning the support assembly between the base and the visual indicia, the visual indicia being disposed on a supplemental member.

34. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein positioning a support assembly relative to the base comprises disposing the base within a water bath.

35. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein positioning the teaching aid further comprises:

positioning the plurality of connectors relative to the visual indicia; and

positioning at least one simulated anatomical object within at least one of the plurality of connectors.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein positioning the plurality of connectors relative to the visual indicia comprises moving a movable end of a connector to expose an aperture configured to receive at least one of the medical device and at least one simulated anatomical object.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, further comprising splitting a slit formed in the moveable end to position the at least one of the medical device and the at least one simulated anatomical object into the aperture.

38. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein positioning the plurality of connectors relative to the visual indicia comprises attaching a connector to a portion of the base so that the connector can position the at least one of the medical device and the at least one simulated anatomical object in alignment with the visual indicia.

39. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein positioning the teaching aid further comprises forming one or more contours with the base, the one or more contours simulating a clinical environment for use of the medical device.

40. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein forming one or more contours further comprises attaching a portion of the base to itself to form the one or more contours.

41. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein attaching a portion of the base comprises attaching a bottom side of the base to itself.

42. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein advancing the medical device comprises advancing the medical device through one or more connectors.

43. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein advancing the medical device comprises advancing the medical device through a simulated anatomical object.

44. The method as recited in claim 43, wherein advancing the medical device through a simulated anatomical object further comprises advancing the medical device through a simulated anatomical object disposed within one or more connectors.

45. The methods as recited in claim 28, wherein positioning the teaching aid further comprises disposed a supplementary member containing the visual indicia over the base.