Birthing simulation devices, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9501953-B2
Application number	US-201414213962-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training are disclosed. In some instances, a patient simulator system is provided that includes a maternal patient simulator and a fetal patient simulator. The maternal patient simulator includes an internal chamber sized to receive the fetal patient simulator and a birthing mechanism disposed within the internal chamber configured to translate and rotate the fetal patient simulator with respect to the maternal patient simulator to simulate a birth. In some instances, the fetal patient simulator an internal support structure that includes a head, spinal components, left arm components, right arm components, left leg components, and right leg components with a continuous silicon skin layer covering the internal support structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A patient simulator system, comprising:
a fetal patient simulator having:
an internal support structure that includes a head, spinal components, left arm components, right arm components, left leg components, and right leg components; and
a continuous silicon skin layer covering the head, spinal components, left arm components, right arm components, left leg components, and right leg components of the internal support structure, wherein the spinal components define a plurality of openings for receiving a stiffening rod; and

a stiffening rod sized and shaped fir selective insertion through the plurality of openings of the spinal components of the fetal patient simulator, wherein the stiffening rod provides rigidity and alignment to the spinal components of the fetal patient simulator when inserted and allows the fetal patient simulator to have a flexible body structure simulating a natural newborn when not inserted.

2. The patient simulator system of claim 1 , wherein the spinal components of the internal support structure of the fetal simulator include a plurality of joints.

3. The patient simulator system of claim 2 , wherein at least some of the plurality of joints include a motion encoder to detect a relative position of the joint.

4. The patient simulator system of claim 1 , wherein the fetal patient simulator includes a force sensor for monitoring a force applied to the patient simulator.

5. The patient simulator system of claim 1 , wherein the fetal patient simulator includes an actuator system for selectively raising the head of the fetal patient simulator.

6. The patient simulator system of claim 5 , wherein the actuator system includes a motorized pulley system.

7. The patient simulator system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a maternal patient simulator having:
an internal chamber sized to receive the fetal patient simulator; and
a birthing mechanism disposed within the internal chamber, the birthing mechanism configured to translate and rotate the fetal patient simulator with respect to the maternal patient simulator to simulate a birth.

8. The patient simulator system of claim 7 , wherein the birthing mechanism of the maternal patient simulator is configured to selectively engage a portion of the stiffening rod.

9. The patient simulator system of claim 8 , wherein the stiffening rod provide structural integrity to the spinal components of the fetal simulator during the birth simulation.

10. The patient simulator system of claim 7 , wherein the maternal pa simulator includes a removable tummy cover.

11. The patient simulator system of claim 10 , wherein the removable tummy cover is configured to simulate at least one of maternal contractions and a fetal heart rate.

12. The patient simulator system of claim 11 , wherein the removable tummy cover includes at least one speaker for simulating the fetal heart rate.

13. The patient simulator system of claim 11 , wherein the removable tummy cover includes at least one reservoir configured to receive fluid or air, wherein selective introduction and removal of the fluid or air into the at least one reservoir simulates the maternal contractions.

14. The patient simulator system of claim 7 , wherein the maternal patient simulator includes articulating hip joints.

15. The patient simulator system of claim 14 , wherein the articulating hip joints include a first plate secured to a torso of the maternal patient simulator, a second plate secured to a leg of the maternal patient simulator, and a flexible tubular member extending between the first and second plates.

16. The patient simulator system of claim 15 , wherein the articulating hip joints further include a plurality of tethers extending between the first and second plates to limit relative motion.

17. The patient simulator system of claim 15 , wherein the articulating hip joints further includes a sensor for monitoring relative movement of the hip joint.

18. The patient simulator system of claim 1 , wherein the fetal patient simulator further includes a locking mechanism for fixedly engaging the stiffening rod.

19. The patient simulator system of claim 18 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a spring-loaded mechanism configured to engage a structure of the stiffening rod.

20. The patient simulator system of claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism is electronically controllable to selectively fixedly engage the stiffening rod.

Assignees

• Gaumard Scient Company Inc

Inventors

• Carvajal Miguel
• Fernandez Victor
• Karpf Jeffrey
• Lurbe Yojans
• Morales Lazaro
• Rodriguez Alberto

Classifications

• G09B23/281 Primary

  for pregnancy, birth or obstetrics (G09B23/286 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G09B23/32 Primary

  with moving parts · CPC title