Interactive education system for teaching patient care

• US 8,500,452 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2010
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: gaumard scientific company, inc
• Original Assignee: gaumard scientific company, inc
• Inventors: Trotta, Thomas Neil, Lowe, Siobhain, Rodriguez, Alberto, Carvajal, Miguel Enrique, Fernandez, Victor I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Xuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): EGLOFF, PETER RICHARD
• Application Number:
  US12/708,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20110207102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 434/262, 434/268, 434/272, 434/267, 600/331, 600/340
• US Class Current: 434/268
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/281 for pregnancy, birth or obstetrics G09B23/286 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 for artificial respiration or heart massage
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence

Abstract

A patient simulator system for teaching patient care is provided. The system includes a patient simulator. The patient simulator includes a patient body comprising one or more simulated body portions. The one or more simulated body portions include at least one simulated finger that is configured to interface with a pulse oximeter to simulate an oxygen saturation of the patient simulator. In some instances, the simulated finger is further configured to interface with the pulse oximeter to simulate a pulse rate of the patient simulator. In some embodiments, the simulated finger may be calibrated to accurately interface with a particular pulse oximeter. Methods of utilizing the patient simulator systems, including the simulated finger for interfacing with a pulse oximeter, are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for teaching patient care, the system comprising:

a patient simulator comprising;

a patient body comprising one or more simulated body portions, the one or more simulated body portions including at least one simulated finger sized and shaped to emulate a natural finger, wherein the at least one simulated finger is configured to interface with a pulse oximeter to simulate an oxygen saturation of the patient simulator, the at least one simulated finger including;

a first sensor for receiving a first wavelength of light from the pulse oximeter from a first side of the at least one simulated finger;

a second sensor for receiving a second wavelength of light from the pulse oximeter from the first side of the at least one simulated finger;

at least one light emitter for producing light at the first and second wavelengths towards a second side of the at least one simulated finger to simulate the oxygen saturation of the patient simulator, the second side of the at least one simulated finger being opposite the first side; and

a layer of flexible silicon material defining an outer surface of the second side of the at least one simulated finger such that the light produced by the at least one light emitter passes through the layer of flexible silicon material and is evenly transmitted from the outer surface defined by the layer of flexible silicon material in a manner emulating a natural finger

wherein the at least one light emitter is in communication with a processing unit, the processing unit configured to control the amount of light produced by the at least one light emitter at the first and second wavelengths in order to simulate the oxygen saturation of the patient simulator; and

wherein the processing unit is programmable to allow calibration of the amount of light produced by the at least one light emitter to match settings of the pulse oximeter such that a measured simulated oxygen saturation of the patient simulator as measured by the pulse oximeter matches a desired simulated oxygen saturation of the patient simulator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one simulated finger is further configured to interface with the pulse oximeter to simulate a pulse rate of the patient simulator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength of light is between about 630 nm and about 700 nm and wherein the second wavelength of light is between about 800 nm and about 1000 nm.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitter is positioned opposite the first and second sensors within the at least one finger.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one light emitter and the first and second sensors are separated by a divider that isolates the first and second wavelengths of light received from the pulse oximeter from the at least one light emitter.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second sensors are mounted to the divider.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitter is in communication with a processing unit, the processing unit configured to control the amount of light produced by the at least one light emitter at the first and second wavelengths in order to simulate the oxygen saturation of the patient simulator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing unit is positioned remote from the at least one finger.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit is positioned within the patient simulator.

10. An apparatus comprising:

at least one simulated finger configured to interface with a pulse oximeter to simulate an oxygen saturation of a patient simulator, the at least one simulated finger sized and shaped to emulate a natural finger and comprising;

a first sensor for receiving a first wavelength of light emitted from the pulse oximeter from a first side of the at least one simulated finger;

a second sensor for receiving a second wavelength of light emitted from the pulse oximeter from the first side of the at least one simulated finger;

a light emitter for emitting light at the first and second wavelengths from the at least one simulated finger towards a receiver of the pulse oximeter positioned adjacent to a second side of the at least one simulated finger, the second side of the at least one simulated finger being opposite the first side; and

a layer of flexible silicon material defining an outer surface of the second side of the at least one simulated finger such that the light emitted by the light emitter passes through the layer of flexible silicon material and is evenly transmitted from the outer surface defined by the layer of flexible silicon material in a manner emulating a natural finger such that light received by the receiver of the pulse oximeter simulates an oxygen saturation;

wherein the light emitter is in communication with a processing unit, the processing unit configured to control the amount of light produced by the at least one light emitter at the first and second wavelengths in order to simulate the oxygen saturation of the patient simulator; and

wherein the processing unit is programmable to allow calibration of the amount of light produced by the at least one light emitter to match settings of the pulse oximeter such that a measured simulated oxygen saturation of the patient simulator as measured by the pulse oximeter matches a desired simulated oxygen saturation of the patient simulator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first wavelength of light is between about 630 nm and about 700 nm and wherein the second wavelength of light is between about 800 nm and about 1000 nm.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light emitter is positioned opposite the first and second sensors within the at least one finger.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the light emitter and the first and second sensors are separated by a divider that isolates the first and second wavelengths of light emitted from the pulse oximeter from the receiver of the pulse oximeter when the pulse oximeter is positioned on the at least one simulated finger.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second sensors are mounted to the divider.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing unit is programmable via a user interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing unit is positioned remote from the at least one finger.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light emitter comprises a light emitting diode and a fiber optic cable.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein calibration of the amount of light produced by the at least one light emitter is performed for a plurality of oxygen saturation levels.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of oxygen saturation levels are fixed, predetermined oxygen saturation levels.