Medical simulation system and method
A portable medical simulation system and method employs an artificial patient with a built-in haptic interface device, with up to four carriages for engaging different diameter catheters. A catheter stabilizer between each carriage expands and contracts in an accordion fashion as the carriages move in relation to each other, preventing the catheter from bending and bowing. A contrast display visual effect derived from a particle emitter software tool simulates the release of radiopaque dye within a simulated vasculature system for display on a monitor. A computer software based system is used for generating haptic effects on the catheter through control signals passed to each of the carriage motors controlling translation movement of the catheter and magnetic particle brakes controlling rotational movement of the catheter.
1. A method for stabilizing a medical device within a haptic interface device, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning a first expandable linked structure between a first carriages and a support stand of the haptic interface device, wherein said first expandable linked structure has a plurality of primary links and a plurality of secondary links alternately adhered together at middle portions of each of said plurality of primary links and said plurality of secondary links;
(b) receiving the medical device in a support tube attached to said support stand;
(c) passing the medical device from said support tube to said first carriage through a plurality of holes in each of said plurality of primary links and a plurality of holes in each of said plurality of secondary links of said first expandable linked structure, wherein said plurality of holes in each of said plurality of primary links and said plurality of holes in each of said plurality of secondary links are aligned together and aligned with said support tube and aligned with an opening in said first carriage; and
(d) moving said first carriage a distance away from said support stand, wherein said first expandable linked structure expands and provides stabilizing force to the medical device across said distance.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:
slidably engaging a pair of bottom edges of each of said plurality of primary links and each of said plurality of secondary links of said first expandable linked structure with a top surface of a rail of the haptic interface device when said first carriage is moved said distance away from said support stand.
3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:
engaging a first support rail with a plurality of first notches located along each of a first fold on a first side of each of said plurality of primary links; and
engaging a second support rail with a plurality of second notches located along each of a second fold on a second side of each of said plurality of primary links;
wherein said first and second support rails engaged with said plurality of first notches and said plurality of second notches prevents said first expandable linked structure from moving up and down as said first expandable linked structure expands when said first carriage moves said distance away from said support stand.
4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:
receiving a collision arm located on said support stand though a plurality of collision arm holes located in each of said plurality of primary links and aligned with each other;
wherein said collision arm engages with a collision sensor on said first carriage should said first carriage move too close to said support stand.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said positioning step further comprises the steps of:
attaching a first end of said first expandable linked structure to said support stand; and
attaching a second end of said first expandable linked structure to an aft end of said first carriage.
6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
positioning a second expandable linked structure between said first carriage and a second carriage of the haptic interface device;
attaching a first end of said second expandable linked structure to said first carriage; and
attaching a second end of said second expandable linked structure to an aft end of said second carriage.
7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of:
repeating said steps in claim 6 for a next expandable linked structure until all of a plurality of carriages of the haptic interface device have said next expandable linked structure positioned and attached between them.
8. A method for stabilizing a medical device within a haptic interface device, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning an expandable linked structure between each of a plurality of carriages of the haptic interface device and between a first carriage and a support stand of the haptic interface device, wherein each said expandable linked structure has a first strip and a second strip folded accordion style and inserted and seated together though a plurality of opposing slits in each of said first and second strips;
(b) receiving the medical device in a support tube attached to said support stand;
(c) passing the medical device from said support tube to a first carriage of said plurality of carriages though a plurality of holes in said first strip and a plurality of holes in said second strip of a first expandable linked structure, wherein said plurality of holes in said first strip and said plurality of holes in said second strip are aligned together and aligned with said support tube and aligned with an opening in said first carriage; and
(d) moving said first carriage a distance away from said support stand, wherein said first expandable linked structure expands and provides stabilizing force to the medical device across said distance.
9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of:
slidably engaging a plurality of bottom edges of each of said first and second strips of said first expandable linked structure with a top surface of a rail of the haptic interface device when said first carriage is moved said distance away from said support stand.
10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of:
engaging a first support rail with a plurality of first notches located along each of an outermost fold of said first strip; and
engaging a second support rail with a plurality of second notches located along each of an outermost fold of said second strip;
wherein said first and second support rails engaged with said plurality of first notches and said plurality of second notches in said first and second strips prevents said first expandable linked structure from moving up and down as said first expandable linked structure expands when said first carriage moves said distance away from said support stand.
11. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of:
receiving a collision arm located on said support stand though a plurality of collision arm holes located in each of said first and second strips of said first expandable linked structure wherein said plurality of collision arm holes are aligned with each other;
wherein said collision arm engages with a collision sensor on said first carriage should said first carriage move too close to said support stand.
12. The method according to claim 8 wherein said positioning step further comprises the steps of:
attaching a first end of said first expandable linked structure to said support stand; and
attaching a second end of said first expandable linked structure to an aft end of said first carriage.
13. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of:
positioning a second expandable linked structure between said first carriage and a second carriage of the haptic interface device;
attaching a first end of said second expandable linked structure to a fore end of said first carriage; and
attaching a second end of said second expandable linked structure to an aft end of said second carriage.
14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of:
repeating said steps in claim 13 for a next expandable linked structure until all of a plurality of carriages of the haptic interface device have said next expandable linked structure positioned and attached between them.