Universal sphygmomanometer simulator for live training and evaluation

Inventors

Olmstead, Clifford D • Miller, Charles G • Woods, Jerry • Dhingra, Sukhtej

Assignees

Kbport LLC • Kb Port LLC

Abstract

A sphygmomanometer simulator for live training includes an upper arm cuff for a simulated patient; a rigid walled pressure vessel within the cuff; a manual inflator and manual release valve coupled to the rigid walled vessel to selectively increase and release the pressure within the pressure vessel; a pressure sensor coupled to the pressure vessel; a cuff controller receiving the pressure sensor measurements and controlling a speaker within the cuff to emit designated simulated Korotkoff sounds associated with a simulated blood pressure and with the pressure of the pressure vessel; a visual gauge controlled by the cuff controller and displaying a pressure associated with the pressure in the pressure vessel and simulated Korotkoff gauge bumps associated with the simulated blood pressure for the simulated patient; and a user controller coupled to the cuff controller for inputting the simulated blood pressure for the simulated patient.

Core Innovation

A universal sphygmomanometer simulator for live training and evaluation uses an upper arm cuff that contains a rigid walled internal pressure vessel isolated from a potentially live patient’s arm so that the cuff is inflated without occluding an artery and without generating actual Korotkoff sounds from a live patient. The rigid walls prevent the cuff pressure from directly occluding the artery while the simulator provides controllable simulated physiological effects. Manual inflation and pressure release are coupled to the rigid walled vessel to selectively increase and release internal pressure within the rigid walled vessel.

A pressure sensor and a cuff controller measure pressure within the pressure vessel and generate designated simulated Korotkoff sounds based on a user input simulated blood pressure. The simulator includes a speaker that emits designated simulated Korotkoff sounds so that trainee performance is evaluated using reproducible, selectable simulated Korotkoff sounds rather than actual Korotkoff sounds. A visual pressure gauge display is controlled from the measured vessel pressure to show a pressure indication.

The visual gauge display further includes simulated Korotkoff gauge bumps based on the user input simulated blood pressure, enabling objective and verifiable feedback during live training and evaluation. The system is described as universal in compatibility with different manikin brands and live actors, while using the cuff’s rigid walled pressure vessel architecture to avoid actual Korotkoff sounds and artery occlusion when the cuff is placed around the extremity of a live patient. A user controller is coupled to the cuff controller, including wireless or wired coupling, to receive input of simulated blood pressure for the manikin or live simulated patient.

Claims Coverage

The document includes three independent claims directed to a sphygmomanometer simulator. Across the independent claims, the inventive features revolve around a cuff with a rigid walled pressure vessel that prevents artery occlusion and avoids actual Korotkoff sounds on a live patient, plus controlled pressure increase and release and simulated Korotkoff outputs with associated pressure indication and user input simulated blood pressure.

Across the independent claims, the simulator combines a cuff designed to avoid actual Korotkoff sounds from a live patient by using a rigid walled pressure vessel that prevents occlusion of an artery, an inflator and release valve for selectively increasing and releasing pressure within the rigid walled pressure vessel, and sensing and output features including a pressure sensor, cuff controller, a speaker emitting designated simulated Korotkoff sounds, and a visual gauge including simulated Korotkoff gauge bumps. The independent claims also include a user controller for inputting simulated blood pressure, with refinements specifying manual inflating and releasing, smooth and snug placement by a medical professional trainee around an upper arm, and an extended length of coiled tubing for the rigid walled pressure vessel.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications