Apparatus, systems, and methods for simulating life-like human facial features/expressions
Inventors
Kirchhoff, Allan R. • ROBAINA, ROBERTO R.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11170667-B2
Publication Date
2021-11-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and apparatus according to which a patient simulator includes one or more of the following: a left eye assembly including a simulated left pupil, a simulated left eyelid, and/or a simulated left iris; a right eye assembly including a simulated right pupil, a simulated right eyelid, and/or a simulated right iris; a neck assembly including a simulated neck; a left brow assembly including a simulated left brow; a right brow assembly including a simulated right brow; a tear duct assembly including simulated left and right cheeks through which artificial pores are formed; and a mouth assembly including a simulated mouth. In various embodiments, any one, or a combination, of these assemblies may be, include, or be part of, a manikin in the form of a human face, and may therefore be activated simultaneously to realistically simulate life-like human facial features/expressions.
Core Innovation
The invention is a patient simulator configured to physically simulate a life-like human emotional response using a manikin in the form of a human face. The manikin includes a first simulated cheek having a first artificial pore extending from an interior of the first simulated cheek to an exterior of the first simulated cheek. A first pump communicates fluid to the interior of the first simulated cheek and through the first artificial pore so that the fluid beads on the exterior of the first simulated cheek to simulate the production of a realistic human tear.
The simulator further includes a microprocessor configured to provide the first electrical signal to the first pump. Providing and communicating the fluid through the artificial pore produces the realistic tear effect as part of the physically simulated life-like human emotional response. The claim architecture links electrical signaling, pump actuation, and the exterior tear bead formation at the artificial pore.
In related implementations described in the document, the tear-simulation arrangement extends to a second simulated cheek with a second artificial pore and a second pump controlled by the microprocessor, with a second electrical signal providing fluid communication through the second pore. The additional tear simulation likewise results in fluid beads on the exterior of the second simulated cheek to simulate realistic human tear production.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Across both independent claims, the core inventive concept is a patient simulator or method that uses a facial manikin with a simulated cheek and artificial pore, a pump that receives an electrical signal, and microprocessor-provided electrical control to communicate fluid so that fluid beads on the cheek exterior to simulate realistic human tear production as a life-like human emotional response.
Facial manikin with simulated cheek and artificial pore for tear bead formation
A manikin in the form of a human face, including a first simulated cheek and a first artificial pore extending from an interior of the first simulated cheek to an exterior of the first simulated cheek, with fluid communicated to the interior and through the first artificial pore so that fluid beads on the exterior of the first simulated cheek to simulate the production of a realistic human tear.
Microprocessor-controlled pump receiving electrical signal
A microprocessor configured to provide the first electrical signal to the first pump, wherein the first pump receives the first electrical signal and communicates the fluid based at least in part on the first electrical signal.
Life-like human emotional response simulation via tear production
A patient simulator configured to physically simulate a life-like human emotional response, wherein physically simulating the life-like human emotional response comprises providing the patient simulator in the form of a human face and producing realistic human tear production with fluid beads on the exterior of the first simulated cheek.
Optional extension to second simulated cheek with second pump and second electrical signal
The patient simulator includes a second simulated cheek and a second artificial pore, and the system receives and provides a second electrical signal to a second pump to communicate a second fluid through the second pore so that fluid beads on the exterior of the second simulated cheek to simulate realistic human tear production.
Taken together, the independent claims require a human-face manikin with a simulated cheek and artificial pore that allows fluid to bead on the exterior to simulate realistic human tear production, and a microprocessor that provides electrical signals to a pump that communicates the fluid through the pore to physically simulate a life-like human emotional response; the concept can be expanded to a second cheek with a corresponding second pore and pump.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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