A method and apparatus are described for converting physiological information into sound, suitable for such applications as anesthesiological, intensive-care or exercise monitoring. Complex, realistic bodily sounds (e.g., heartbeat sound and/or breathing sound) are synthesized algorithmically, and directly reveal certain physiological variables such as heart rate or breathing rate. Changes in other physiological variables (e.g., blood pressure or carbon dioxide level) are indicated by changes in acoustic parameters of the realistic sound (e.g., pitch or timbre). A large number of these "piggyback" variables can be made audible by controlling a plurality of acoustic parameters simultaneously, taking advantage of the ability of the auditory system to process large quantities of information in parallel. The combination of realistic sounds with "piggyback" variables provides a novel means of monitoring physiological data with advantages over both the visual monitoring systems currently in widespread use and other proposed and existing sonic monitoring systems. Other improvements to existing sonification methods are taught, including "self-labeling" alarms and auxiliary sound mix-through.

Sonification system using synthesized realistic body sounds modified by other medically-important variables for physiological monitoring

A device and method for performing coronary artery grafting on a model heart. In one embodiment, a motor-operated cam displaces a surface on which a model cardiac vasculature is mounted or integrated. The active surface moves to simulate the beating of the heart during a live operation. The trainee performs the simulated procedure while the model heart pulsates.

Training apparatus and method for coronary artery anastomoses featuring simulated pulsating heart

An improved child calming device comprising, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, a stuffed animal ( 10 ) having a pocket ( 88 ) within which is contained a heart beat simulating transducer ( 12 ) is disclosed. The transducer is actuated, in a number of optional ways, by application of pressure to an actuator ( 22 ) which is coupled to a switch ( 30 ) which drives an electronic circuit ( 40 ) contained within the housing ( 14 ) of the simulator ( 12 ). The number and power of the "simulated" heart beats may be controlled by selective actuation of the actuator.

Child calming toy with rythmic stimulation

This heart novelty and relaxation device has a heart-shaped housing that contains a speaker and circuitry for producing a slow heartbeat sound which has a relaxing effect on a listener. The housing is assembled from two molded plastic conformal sides having integral complementary stanchions that mate to hold the sides together along a median plane. The circuitry is mounted on a board which also supports an on-off switch having a flat arm that pivots in the median plane. A portion of the switch arm projects unobtrusively from the housing through a slot at the interface between the sides to facilitate external control of the device.

Heart novelty and relaxation device

A power assembly for rotating a display is simple, inexpensive, has long life, and can rotate even heavy displays. A housing mounts a d.c. motor having an output shaft, and has a support structure. A ball bearing assembly, having a second shaft, is stationarily held by the support structure, and a flexible tubular connector interconnects the motor output shaft and the second shaft. The display is attached to the second shaft by a flexible band of elastomeric material. An electronic circuit provides power pulses from a substantially constant d.c. power source (such as a bank of solar cells) to operate the d.c. motor.

Load bearing solar powered displays

Circuit means including a speaker for producing sound simulating a heartbeat such as a heartbeat of a human being. A battery powered transistorized oscillator circuit is provided whereby to produce output pulses at the rate of 60-90 cycles per minute which activate the speaker to produce sounds simulating a heartbeat and at approximately the same rate. The device may be used in a figure, such as a plush toy or plush animal toy, the microphone being positioned so that the sound simulates that of a heart. The sound produced is made to simulate a heartbeat of a mother to lull baby animals, and human infants as well, to sleep.

H Joe Ware

Papers

Figure with simulated heartbeat