Patent ID: 7942676
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
1. An anatomical model for demonstrating a spinal column to a user, the model comprises a plurality of rigid disks; wherein each of the plurality of rigid disks represents a segment of a vertebrae; said rigid disks further includes a plurality of outwardly extending elongate members and a centrally located aperture; the model further includes a plurality of translucent resilient disks and a plurality of LED's; wherein each of the plurality of translucent resilient disks represents a spinal disk; said translucent resilient disk further includes a centrally located aperture and embedded with one of the plurality of LED's; wherein said plurality of rigid disks vertically interspersed with said plurality of translucent resilient disks forming an interior aperture and an exterior shape of the spinal column; the model further includes a plurality of elastic bands for representing connecting muscle of spinal column; wherein each elastic band is capable of being retained by a groove on the elongate member so that each elastic band connects one elongate member on one rigid disk to another elongate member on another rigid disk; the model further includes a spindle shaft, a housing unit with a recess area, a horizontal and vertical opening, and an actuator rod; said spindle shaft includes a first end inserts into the recess area of the housing unit and a second end exits from the horizontal opening of the housing unit; said actuator rod fixedly attached to the spindle shaft at ninety degree relative to the shaft; said actuator rod capable of engaging a momentary switch when the spindle shaft is rotated by a user; the housing unit further includes a speaker, an audio microprocessor which is mounted onto a printed circuit board, and an electrical power source for powering the audio microprocessor; the model further includes a take up spindle, a flexible cable and a top cap located on the top of spinal column; wherein the take up spindle is fixedly attached to the spindle shaft so that the spindle shaft is positioned directly below the vertical opening of the housing unit and capable of accessing the interior apertures of the spinal column; and the take up spindle retains one end of the flexible cable and the top cap retaining the opposite end of the flexible cable; the model further includes a rotary knob attaches to the second end of the spindle shaft; said rotary knob, when rotated by said user, causes the flexible cable to be rolled up onto the take up spindle causing the translucent resilient disks to compress and bulge outward; at the same time causing the actuator rod to engage with said momentary switch activating a pre-recorded audio message stores within the audio microprocessor and turning on the plurality of LED's embedded within the plurality of translucent resilient disks; the model further includes a tilt switch located in the top cap; said tilt switch connected by electrical wires to the audio microprocessor and the plurality of LED's so that when the user places his or her fingers on said top cap and flexes the spinal column, the angular motion of the top cap causes said tilt switch to activate thereby playing the pre-recorded audio message and turning on the plurality of LED's.