Patient Simulator Breathing Pump for Realistic Physiological Responses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient simulators fail to exhibit accurate symptoms and respond appropriately to student stimuli, lacking realism and lifelike features, thereby providing inadequate medical training.

Innovation Solution

A patient simulator system with enhanced realism and functionality, including a simulated respiratory system, pneumothorax system, and realistic birthing and neonatal scenarios, allowing multiple users to practice medical procedures in a team-based environment with real-time assessment and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical simulator is used for hands-on practice, then medical personnel can practice procedures, but the simulator fails to exhibit accurate symptoms and respond appropriately to student stimuli

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of symptom exhibitionVSAvoidresponse to student stimuli
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patient simulator incorporates feedback mechanisms where the simulated patient responds to student stimuli with appropriate physiological reactions. Sensors detect student actions (e.g., chest compressions, ventilations) and trigger corresponding system responses (e.g., changes in breathing patterns, heart rate, or symptom manifestation), creating a dynamic interaction that improves both accuracy and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The simulator transitions from a static model to a dynamic system that can change its state based on student actions. The simulated patient's physiological parameters (breathing, circulation, symptoms) dynamically adjust in response to medical interventions, allowing the system to exhibit accurate symptoms while adapting to various student stimuli through programmable response scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If existing simulators are used, then basic training can be provided, but they fail to look and feel lifelike

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebasic training capabilityVSAvoidrealism and lifelike features
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The simulator employs composite construction combining realistic external materials (skin-like surfaces, anatomical features) with internal mechanical and electronic components. This allows the device to maintain lifelike appearance and tactile properties while incorporating sensors, actuators, and control systems that enable advanced training scenarios and realistic physiological responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If textbooks and flash cards are used, then theoretical knowledge can be taught, but hands-on practice benefits are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheoretical instruction deliveryVSAvoidhands-on practice capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patient simulator serves as an intermediary between theoretical instruction and real patient care. It bridges the gap by providing a safe, controlled environment where students can apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on practice with a realistic model that responds authentically to medical interventions, ultimately preparing them for actual patient care without exposing real patients to risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a highly realistic training platform for medical personnel to develop and assess medical treatment skills without endangering live patients, facilitating team training and improving patient safety through hands-on experience.

Implementation Method 1

a breathing pump including a cylinder and a piston dividing the cylinder into first and second chambers, the first chamber being in communication with the lung valve via at least a first flow path, the second chamber being in communication with the lung valve via at least a second flow path, and the piston being adapted to reciprocate within the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiston reciprocation:

Data Source

PatentEP3573723B1Patient simulator and associated devices, systems, and methods
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 GAUMARD SCIENTIFIC
  • EP3573723B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3573723B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3573723B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and method according to which a patient simulator is used to simulate a human patient's breathing pattern, the patient simulator including a simulated respiratory system and a simulated airway system. The simulated respiratory system includes a lung valve, a simulated lung in communication with the lung valve, and a breathing pump including a cylinder and a piston dividing the cylinder into first and second chambers, the first chamber being in communication with the lung valve via at least a first flow path, and the second chamber being in communication with the lung valve via at least a second flow path. The simulated airway system is configured to be in communication with the second chamber of the breathing pump via at least a third flow path. In several examplary embodiments, simulating, using the patient simulator, the human patient's breathing pattern comprises reciprocating the piston within the cylinder.