Interactive education system for teaching patient care
Inventors
Eggert, John S. • Eggert, Michael S. • Rodriguez, Alberto
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9378659-B2
Publication Date
2016-06-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Simulator systems for teaching patient care are provided. In some instances, the simulator system includes a maternal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a pregnant woman, the maternal simulator including a torso, arms, legs, and a head, wherein the torso includes a chamber sized and shaped to receive a fetal simulator and wherein a birthing mechanism is disposed within the chamber for providing rotational and translational movement to the fetal simulator in a birthing simulation; and a fetal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a fetus, the fetal simulator configured to be selectively engaged with the birthing mechanism of the maternal simulator.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a simulator system for teaching patient care that includes a maternal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a pregnant woman, with a torso that includes a chamber sized and shaped to receive a fetal simulator. A birthing mechanism is disposed within the chamber and provides rotational and translational movement to the fetal simulator in a birthing simulation. The fetal simulator is sized and shaped to simulate a fetus and is configured to be selectively engaged with the birthing mechanism of the maternal simulator.
The simulator system further includes delivery simulation features including dynamic cervix dilation simulation, force monitoring during a shoulder dystocia simulation, display of fetal vital signs, and synchronization of fetal heart rate with contractions of the maternal simulator. Sensors and monitoring/feedback features are described for delivery maneuvers and partograph practice, including force sensing for delivery maneuvers such as shoulder dystocia and cervix distensibility for cervix-related visualization such as partograph practice.
The described simulator system architecture supports scenario execution and simulation automation via software modules and a wireless, modular simulator architecture, including a master module and distributed task, pneumatic, audio, and sensing modules. The maternal and/or fetal and neonatal simulators can be tetherless and self-contained, including a rechargeable power source and wireless communication, with neonatal resuscitation simulator features including airway sensing, CPR compression and ventilation monitoring, and physiologic sound and vital sign generation.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines 3 core inventive features: a maternal simulator with a torso chamber receiving a selectively engaged fetal simulator, a birthing mechanism providing rotational and translational movement, and a teaching simulator architecture for a birthing simulation. Dependent features further include dynamic cervix dilation, force monitoring for shoulder dystocia, fetal vital signs display, synchronization of fetal heart rate with maternal contractions, rechargeable power, and neonatal resuscitation features.
Maternal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a pregnant woman
A maternal simulator including a torso, arms, legs, and a head, where the torso includes a chamber sized and shaped to receive a fetal simulator.
Birthing mechanism providing rotational and translational movement
A birthing mechanism disposed within the chamber for providing rotational and translational movement to the fetal simulator in a birthing simulation.
Fetal simulator selectively engaged with the birthing mechanism
A fetal simulator sized and shaped to simulate a fetus, configured to be selectively engaged with the birthing mechanism of the maternal simulator.
Dynamic cervix dilation simulation range
A simulator system in which the cervix is simulated with a dilation range from about 2 cm to about 10 cm.
Force monitoring during shoulder dystocia simulation
A simulator system for shoulder dystocia simulation that includes at least one sensor to monitor a force applied during the simulation.
Monitor displaying fetal vital signs
A simulator system further including a monitor that displays fetal vital signs associated with the fetal simulator.
Synchronization of fetal heart rate with maternal contractions
A simulator system configured to synchronize a fetal heart rate with contractions of the maternal simulator.
Rechargeable power source for the maternal simulator
The simulator system configured such that the maternal simulator includes a rechargeable power source.
Overall claim coverage centers on a maternal simulator torso chamber with a selectively engaged fetal simulator driven by a birthing mechanism that provides rotational and translational movement. Dependent refinements further specify dynamic cervix dilation, force monitoring for shoulder dystocia, fetal vital signs display, synchronization of fetal heart rate with maternal contractions, rechargeable power, and neonatal resuscitation features.
Stated Advantages
Provides a simulator system for teaching patient care using a birthing simulation with rotational and translational movement of a selectively engaged fetal simulator.
Enables delivery-manuever sensing and feedback, including force sensing for delivery maneuvers such as shoulder dystocia.
Supports cervix-related simulation including cervix distensibility for partograph practice.
Supports monitoring and outputs including fetal heart rate, maternal contractions, and vital signs associated with the fetal and/or maternal simulation.
Enables neonatal resuscitation simulator features including airway sensing and CPR compression and ventilation monitoring.
Enables selective control of physiological conditions in the neonatal simulation, including respiratory patterns, cyanosis indicators, and pneumothorax.
Supports tetherless/self-contained operation using rechargeable power and wireless communication.
Documented Applications
Teaching patient care using a birthing simulator featuring maternal, fetal, and selectively engaged delivery simulation via a birthing mechanism.
Delivery simulation that includes shoulder dystocia monitoring using force sensing.
Partograph practice using cervix distensibility within a delivery simulation.
Neonatal resuscitation simulation with airway sensing, CPR compression and ventilation monitoring, physiologic sound and vital sign generation, and selective physiological-condition simulation (including cyanosis and pneumothorax).
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