Training device preferably for improving a physician's performance in tympanocentesis medical procedures

Abstract

A device for training physicians in tympanocentesis is disclosed. The device includes an outer member resembling a side profile of a child's head and shoulder's area. The outer member is attached to a surface portion to define a receiving area for receiving a slidable inner member. A replica of at least an eardrum and ear canal of a child's inner ear is associated with the sliding inner member. A training portion of the inner member supports a simulated inner ear, positions the simulated inner ear to a desired position adjacent the outer ear of the outer member, and acts as a holder for the training cartridges used with the training device. The cartridges simulate the “look and feel” of popping through the tympanic membrane. The cartridges include one or more training areas. Two color distinct training materials are maintained within each training area of the top member of the cartridge. The first training material represents a desired safe puncture area for performing tympanocentesis. A third training material can be disposed within the training areas of a bottom member of the cartridge. If the first training material has been withdrawn the user has successfully positioned the needle into the correct area of the simulated ear, evidencing a proper tympanocentesis procedure. If the second training material has been withdrawn the user has punctured an undesired area. Regardless of whether the first or second training material was initially punctured, if the third training material is withdrawn the user has over punctured the area. Thus, the present invention trains the user in proper location and depth. Once all of the training areas of the cartridge have been used, it is replaced with a new cartridge.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A training cartridge comprising: 
 a first portion having a first at least one training area;    a second portion having a second at least one training area, said second portion attached to said first portion, said first at least one training area aligned with said second at least one training area;    a first and second material contained within said first at least one training area; and    a third material contained within said second at least one training area.    
     
     
         2 . The training cartridge of    claim 1    wherein said first material is distinguishable from said second material.  
     
     
         3 . The training cartridge of    claim 1    wherein each of the materials are distinguishable from each other by at least color.  
     
     
         4 . The training cartridge of    claim 1    wherein said first at least one training area is four training areas and said second at least one training area is four training areas.  
     
     
         5 . The training cartridge of    claim 1    further including a centrally located aperture extending through said first portion and said second portion.  
     
     
         6 . A training cartridge for use with a training device for improving performance in tympanocentesis medical procedures, comprising: 
 a first portion having a plurality of first training areas;    a second portion having a plurality of second training areas, said second portion attached to said first portion such that each of said first plurality training areas is aligned with one of said second plurality training areas;    a first material contained within each of said plurality of first training areas;    a second material contained within each of said plurality of first training areas, said second material visually distinguishable from said first material; and    a third material contained within each of said plurality of second training areas, said third material visually distinguishable from said first material and said second material.    
     
     
         7 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    wherein said first material, said second material and said third material are visually distinguishable from each other by color.  
     
     
         8 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    wherein said first portion having a first centrally located aperture extending therethrough and said second portion having a second centrally located aperture extending therethrough, said first centrally located aperture and second centrally located aperture aligned with each other when said first portion is attached to said second portion.  
     
     
         9 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    wherein said plurality of first training areas is four first training areas and said plurality of second training areas is four second training areas.  
     
     
         10 . The training cartridge of    claim 9    wherein said four first training areas are spaced equally away from each other and said four second training areas are spaced equally away from each other.  
     
     
         11 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    wherein each of said plurality of first training areas is sized to simulate a tympanic membrane.  
     
     
         12 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    further including a transparent material disposed around said first portion and said second portion.  
     
     
         13 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    further including air bubbles disposed into one or more of said plurality of first training areas.  
     
     
         14 . The training cartridge of    claim 6    further including air bubbles disposed into one or more of said plurality of second training areas.  
     
     
         15 . The training cartridge of    claim 8    wherein said first and second centrally located apertures are adapted for receiving a post of a ear training device.  
     
     
         16 . A training cartridge for use with a training device for improving performance in tympanocentesis medical procedures, comprising: 
 a first portion having a plurality of first training areas, said first portion having a first centrally located aperture extending therethrough;    a second portion having a plurality of second training areas, said second portion attached to said first portion such that each of said first plurality training areas is aligned with one of said second plurality training areas, said second portion having a second centrally located aperture extending therethrough, said first centrally located aperture and second centrally located aperture aligned with each other when said first portion is attached to said second portion;    a first material contained within each of said plurality of first training areas;    a second material contained within each of said plurality of first training areas, said second material visually distinguishable from said first material; and    a third material contained within each of said plurality of second training areas, said third material visually distinguishable from said first material and said second material;    wherein said first material, said second material and said third material are visually distinguishable from each other by color.    
     
     
         17 . The training cartridge of    claim 16    wherein said plurality of first training areas is four first training areas spaced equally away from each other and said plurality of second training areas is four second training areas spaced equally away from each other.  
     
     
         18 . The training cartridge of    claim 16    wherein each of said plurality of first training areas is sized to simulate a tympanic membrane.  
     
     
         19 . The training cartridge of    claim 16    further including a transparent material disposed around said first portion and said second portion.  
     
     
         20 . The training cartridge of    claim 16    further including air bubbles disposed into one or more of said plurality of first training areas.  
     
     
         21 . The training cartridge of    claim 16    further including air bubbles disposed into one or more of said plurality of second training areas.  
     
     
         22 . The training cartridge of    claim 16    wherein said first and second centrally located apertures are adapted for receiving a post of a ear training.