Interactive Education System for Teaching Patient Care

Abstract

An eye assembly for use in a patient simulator is provided. The eye assembly includes an iris diaphragm having a moveable inner portion defining an opening. The inner portion of the iris diaphragm is movable radially from a first position wherein the opening has a first diameter and a second position wherein the opening has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The iris diaphragm is configured for use in a simulated eye. The eye assembly also includes a dilation actuator in communication with the inner portion of the iris diaphragm for selectively moving the inner portion between the first and second positions to simulate dilation of an eye.

1 . An eye assembly for use in a patient simulator, the eye assembly comprising:
 an iris diaphragm having a moveable inner portion defining an opening, the inner portion movable radially from a first position wherein the opening has a first diameter and a second position wherein the opening has a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter; and   a dilation actuator in communication with the inner portion of the iris diaphragm for selectively moving the inner portion between the first and second positions to simulate dilation of an eye.   
   
   
       2 . The eye assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the iris diaphragm includes a moveable pin for radially expanding and contracting the inner portion between the first and second positions. 
   
   
       3 . The eye assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the pin is movable about an outer circumference of the iris diaphragm. 
   
   
       4 . The eye assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the dilation actuator comprises a motor, the motor being connected to the pin to allow the motor to move the pin. 
   
   
       5 . The eye assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the motor is connected to the pin via a guide line. 
   
   
       6 . The eye assembly of  claim 1 , wherein position of the inner portion of the iris diaphragm is at least partially based on an amount of light received by an optical detector. 
   
   
       7 . The eye assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the optical detector is in communication with dilation actuator. 
   
   
       8 . The eye assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the optical detector is positioned within a portion of a simulated eye. 
   
   
       9 . The eye assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an eyelid assembly for simulating blinking. 
   
   
       10 . The eye assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the eyelid assembly comprises:
 an eyelid moveable between an open position and a closed position; and   a blinking actuator in communication with the eyelid for selectively moving the eyelid between the open and closed positions to simulate blinking of the eye.   
   
   
       11 . The eye assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the blinking actuator comprises a pneumatic system. 
   
   
       12 . The eye assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the blinking actuator comprises an opening bag for urging the eyelid towards the open position upon inflation and a closing bag for urging the eyelid towards the closed position upon inflation. 
   
   
       13 . The eye assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising an air supply in communication with the opening and closing bags. 
   
   
       14 . The eye assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising an opening valve assembly for controlling air flow into and out of the opening bag. 
   
   
       15 . The eye assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a closing valve assembly for controlling air flow into and out of the closing bag. 
   
   
       16 . The eye assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the opening bag moves a plate away from the eyelid when inflated and wherein the closing bag moves the plate towards the eyelid when inflated. 
   
   
       17 . The eye assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the plate is connected to the eyelid such that movement of the plate causes corresponding movement to the eyelid. 
   
   
       18 . The eye assembly of  claim 17 , wherein a spring is positioned between the plate and the eyelid to accelerate opening and closing of the eyelid. 
   
   
       19 . The eye assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the dilation actuator and the blinking actuator are configured for communication with a master module of a patient simulator. 
   
   
       20 . The eye assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the dilation actuator and the blinking actuator are configured to execute commands received from the master module relating to the simulated dilation and blinking.