Open-Chest Cardiac Massage Trainer With Real-Time Compression Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical professionals lack adequate training opportunities for open chest cardiac massage techniques, leading to a general lack of experience and comfort in performing such procedures, especially in emergent situations.
Innovation Solution
An open chest cardiac massage task trainer is developed, comprising a simulated chest cavity with a rib cage, lungs, diaphragm, and heart, equipped with sensors to monitor compression characteristics and provide real-time feedback, using a rejuvenable polymer gel to simulate skin and subcutaneous tissue, and analysis circuitry to assess the effectiveness of the training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional training methods (cadavers, animal hearts, simplified models) are used for open chest cardiac massage training, then training opportunities are limited and training effectiveness is reduced, but the complexity and cost of providing adequate training increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a realistic synthetic chest cavity model that copies the anatomical structure of a human chest, including rib cage, sternum, lungs, diaphragm, and heart. This synthetic model provides a safe, reusable alternative to cadavers and animal hearts while maintaining anatomical accuracy for effective OCCM training
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a polymer gel material as an intermediary between the trainee's hands and the synthetic heart. This gel simulates the tactile feedback of compressing actual human tissue, providing realistic resistance and deformation characteristics that bridge the gap between simplified models and real human anatomy
2Adaptability or versatility
If a realistic synthetic chest cavity with anatomical structures is created, then training realism and skill transfer improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synthetic chest cavity is divided into separate modular components including rib cage sections, sternum pieces, lung models, diaphragm, and heart. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using appropriate materials and techniques, then assembled into a complete anatomical model, reducing overall manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different materials for different anatomical structures: polymer gels for soft tissues (skin, muscle, heart), rigid plastics or resins for bone structures (ribs, sternum), and elastomers for flexible tissues (lungs, diaphragm). This use of composite materials allows each structure to exhibit appropriate mechanical properties while maintaining manufacturability
3Measurement precision
If sensors and feedback systems are integrated into the training device, then real-time performance monitoring and skill assessment improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sensors within the synthetic heart and chest cavity structures to detect compression force, depth, rate, and hand placement. This data is processed by a control system that provides real-time feedback to the trainee through visual or auditory signals, enabling immediate correction of technique and precise assessment of skill level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual assessment methods with electronic sensing and automated feedback systems. Sensors substitute for instructor observation, and automated analysis replaces subjective evaluation, providing objective, precise measurement of compression parameters while reducing the need for complex human evaluation systems
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the sternum and skin layers are made surgically separable for repeated access, then training repeatability and sternotomy practice improve, but the structural integrity and reassembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sternum and skin layers with dynamic characteristics that allow them to be separated and reassembled multiple times. The sternum portions are made separable with simulated wire sutures that can be cut and re-tied, while the polymer gel skin layers can be incised and closed with simulated sutures, enabling repeated surgical access practice without degradation of the model
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an open chest cardiac massage (OCCM) task trainer. The OCCM task trainer includes a simulated chest cavity and a simulated heart having a form factor, feel, dimensions, mechanical properties, deformability, and other characteristics that are substantially equivalent to a human heart. The OCCM task trainer includes componentry for structural support of other components and for facilitating navigation of the chest cavity by a trainee prior to simulating OCCM. The OCCM task trainer includes a simulated skin and sternum configured to be surgically separated and reformed for repeated anterior access to the chest cavity. The task trainer includes one or more sensors placed on, about, and/or within the simulated heart in order to determine the effectiveness of OCCM as simulated by a trainee. Computing circuitry and methods are described for providing real-time feedback to a trainee about the effectiveness of simulated OCCM relative to best practices for OCCM procedures.