Vascular-access simulation system with skin-interaction features

• US 7,625,211 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laerdal Medical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Laerdal Dc
• Inventors: Ho, Chih-Hao, Feygin, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai; Xuan M
• Assistant Examiner(s): MUSSELMAN, TIMOTHY A
• Application Number:
  US10/807,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20050214725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,079 Days
• Field of Search: 434262-275
• US Class Current: 434/275
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/285 for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas

Abstract

The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system that provides realistic training and practice for vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface for performing vascular-access procedures by manipulating a needle/catheter module to simulate needle insertion, etc. Some embodiments of the system include a palpation module, a skin-stretch module, or both. The palpation module provides an ability to practice palpation and occlusion techniques, while the skin-stretch module provides an ability to practice a skin-stretch technique.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

pseudo skin; and

a palpation module for enabling a user to palpate a pseudo vein, wherein;

(a) the palpation module comprises the pseudo vein;

(b) the palpation module is disposed beneath the pseudo skin;

(c) the palpation module comprises a first magnetic-field generating element and a second magnetic field generating element, wherein the first and second magnetic-field generating elements are operated so that an interaction of the magnetic fields generated therefrom is repulsive; and

(d) the repulsive interaction is experienced by the user as a force that opposes downward motion of the pseudo vein.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pseudo vein yields to applied occlusion pressure, such that it moves downward, wherein downward movement is used as an indicator that an occlusion technique has been performed.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a skin-stretch module, wherein the skin-stretch module is disposed beneath the pseudo skin, and wherein the skin-stretch module measures an amount by which the user stretches the pseudo skin.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rigid pseudo vein, wherein the palpation module is operable to vary a simulated stiffness of the rigid pseudo vein.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rigid pseudo vein, wherein the palpation module controllably obscures said pseudo vein under said pseudo skin such that said pseudo vein can be felt, or not felt, as desired.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rigid pseudo vein, wherein the palpation module is arranged so that:

(a) the rigid pseudo vein moves downward in response to applied pressure by the user; and

(b) when the user applies a sufficient amount of force to the pseudo vein, the pseudo vein cannot be felt.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a magnitude of the repulsive interaction is substantially constant during application thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein, although constant during application, the magnitude of the repulsive interaction can be varied.

9. An apparatus comprising a palpation module, wherein said palpation module comprises:

a pseudo vein;

a first plate, wherein the pseudo vein is disposed on the first plate, and wherein the first plate is movable toward a second plate;

wherein the second plate is disposed above said first plate in a fixed position, and wherein said second plate has an opening that is dimensioned and located to receive the pseudo vein; and

an arrangement for generating a first magnetic field, wherein;

(a) the arrangement is operatively coupled to the second plate; and

(b) the first magnetic field interacts with a second magnetic field, wherein the interaction is experienced by a user as a force that opposes a force that is applied to the pseudo vein by a user.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the palpation module is operable to perform at least one of following operations:

measure a change in position of the pseudo vein and vary a simulated stiffness of the pseudo vein.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pseudo vein comprises a rigid member.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a magnitude of the first magnetic force is adjustable.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor generates a signal that is indicative of a distance between the first plate and the second plate.

14. An apparatus comprising:

pseudo skin; and

a palpation module for enabling a user to palpate a pseudo vein, wherein said palpation module is disposed beneath the pseudo skin and further wherein;

(a) the palpation module comprises a permanent magnet;

(b) the palpation module comprises a coil that is energizable via a current to generate a first variable-strength magnetic field; and

(c) the palpation module is arranged so that the pseudo vein can be rendered discernable or not discernable by feel to the user as a function of the current applied to the coil.

15. An apparatus comprising:

Pseudo skin; and

a palpation module for enabling a user to palpate a pseudo vein, wherein said palpation module is disposed beneath the pseudo skin and further wherein;

(a) the palpation module comprises a permanent magnet having a fixed strength magnetic field;

(b) the palpation module comprises a coil that is energizable via a current to generate a variable-strength magnetic field; and

(c) the palpation module is arranged so that an interaction of the fixed strength magnetic field and the variable-strength magnetic field is repulsive and is experienced by the user as a force opposing downward movement of the pseudo vein.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the force experienced by the user is a substantially constant during application.

17. An apparatus comprising:

Pseudo skin; and

a palpation module for enabling a user to palpate a rigid pseudo vein, wherein said palpation module is disposed beneath the pseudo skin and further wherein the palpation module;

(a) comprises a permanent magnet having a fixed strength magnetic field;

(b) comprises a coil that is energizable via a current to generate a variable-strength magnetic field; and

(c) is arranged so that the perceived stiffness of the rigid pseudo vein is alterable by adjusting the current applied to the coil.