Abstract:
An anatomical pocket model adapted for transporting in one&#39;s pocket or the like comprises a flexible, bendable, framework and a flexible, bendable three-dimensional representation of an anatomical body part positioned thereon. The anatomical body part representation is proportionate in size to a real life anatomical body part and facilitates a hands-on educational and demonstrational environment for both doctor and patient.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to anatomical models in general, and more specifically to portable, transportable pocket anatomical models used to demonstrate anatomical body parts and conditions.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Anatomical models are usually used in laboratory or teaching environments and tend to be representative of the actual body parts being displayed. Thus, an anatomical model of a skeleton might average five-to-six feet tall and one-to-two feet wide. Similarly, an anatomical model of a human lung might average six-to-twelve inches long and three-to-eight inches wide. Models having these types of dimensions are satisfactory as educational guides if they are stationary and/or housed in a dedicated location. However, using such models in a mobile environment can be somewhat challenging.  
           [0003]    For example, a doctor seeing a plurality of patients that suffer from stomach ulcers might wish to illustrate a particular ulcer pathology to such patients. Currently, the doctor must carry a medical text illustrating such condition that can be quite heavy and cumbersome. Alternatively, the doctor might refer to an illustrated card showing the condition. However, such two-dimensional representations fail to realistically depict a stomach with a condition that the patients can touch, feel, manipulate and understand. Patients that are not provided with a means for a hands-on demonstration tend to feel removed from the doctor&#39;s explanation and are therefore less likely to appreciate the nature of their condition.  
           [0004]    Thus, the present inventor has devised a pocket-sized, three-dimensional anatomical model that is easily stored and transported in a doctor&#39;s pocket. The anatomical model of the invention is proportionately sized relative to an actual anatomical body part, and thus provides a doctor with the ability to demonstrate the patient&#39;s condition using a three-dimensional representation that the patient can touch and understand. The pocket model of the present invention is also flexible and bendable for durability and so that it can be manipulated and transported without causing injury to the person storing it in one&#39;s pocket or the like.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    An anatomical pocket model adapted for transporting in one&#39;s pocket comprises a flexible, bendable, framework and a flexible, bendable three-dimensional representation of an anatomical body part positioned thereon. The anatomical body part representation is proportionate in size to a real life anatomical body part in the length and width dimensions, but is disproportionate in size in the thickness dimension for storing in compact environments.  
           [0006]    The anatomical pocket models of the invention are specifically designed for medical professionals to carry in the pocket of a typical lab coat. This greatly increases the usability and functionality of the models compared to the typical desktop-style anatomical models which are difficult and cumbersome to carry to patients&#39; exam and/or treatment rooms or to other medical practitioners&#39; offices. They can be used to illustrate for patients or colleagues various features of an organ or other body part under discussion as well as the locations of various pathologies as well as blockages, ruptures or other abnormalities. The anatomical pocket models themselves may or may not specifically illustrate these abnormalities. If such abnormalities are present, they may or may not be included as separate, removable parts of the model. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of an anatomical pocket model of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a back view of the model of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the model of FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a top view of the model of FIG. 1.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the model of FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an anatomical pocket model of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is a back view of the model of FIG. 7.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 is a left side view of the model of FIG. 7.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 10 is a right side view of the model of FIG. 7. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    The following detailed description is of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment of an anatomical pocket model  50  in accordance with the present invention. For purposes of explanation, the model  50  comprises a three-dimensional representation of a human brain  55 , it being understood that other anatomy, human or otherwise, may be represented as desired (see FIGS. 7-10). For instance, if the model  50  is used by a veterinarian, then animal anatomy would be represented instead of human anatomy. Similarly, multiple anatomical structures, such as a plurality of skeletal vertebrae, can be demonstrated on the same model.  
         [0018]    The model  50  comprises a flexible framework  60  that is bendable and preferably made from plastic or the like, said framework  60  having a front  62 , back  64 , top  66 , bottom  68 , left side  70 , right side  72  and thickness  74 . Identifying indicia  76  may be provided on a portion of the flexible framework  60  that is descriptive of the anatomical body part represented thereby. Identifying indicia  76  may also be provided on the anatomical representation  55  as desired, and/or used for marketing purposes on the model  50  in general. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the framework  60  is rectangular and encloses the three-dimensional anatomical representation  55  on all sides  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72 . The framework  60  may be other shapes as desired.  
         [0019]    The anatomical representation  55  may be molded with the framework  60  in a one-step injection-molding process, or it may separately attached or adhered to the framework  60  in a multi-step process. If molded in a one-step process, the anatomical representation  55  would preferably be irremovable from the flexible framework  60 . However, the model  50  may be manufactured so that the anatomical representation  55  is removable from the flexible framework  60 , and possibly interchangeable with other anatomical representations as desired. Other methods of manufacturing the model  50  of the invention are contemplated. Regardless of how the model  50  is manufactured, it should preferably be constructed from a flexible material that will not injure or cause great discomfort to the medical professional or patient if he or she should bump into or lean against a rigid surface while carrying the model  50  in his or her pocket.  
         [0020]    The three-dimensional anatomical representation  55  has a length dimension  56  (FIG. 6) and a width dimension  57  (FIG. 3) that is proportional in size to an average, real-life anatomical body part that it represents. In this case, the length  56  and width  57  of the anatomical representation  55  of a brain are proportionate to an average-sized human brain. The thickness dimension  58  (FIG. 5) is preferably disproportionately sized relative to its real-life counterpart so that the model  50  is suited to fit in one&#39;s pocket. To avoid being too bulky and unmanageable, the thickness dimension  58  is preferably no greater than approximately 35 mm and the length dimension  56  is preferably no greater than approximately 150 mm. Furthermore, the model should be constructed from materials that are lightweight such that the entire model weights preferably eight-to-sixteen ounces.  
         [0021]    The thickness dimension  58  of the anatomical representation  55  is preferably greater than the thickness  74  of the flexible framework  60  as shown in FIG. 3, which provides the model  50  with depth and the ability to demonstrate the anatomical representation  55  in three dimensions. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the thickness  58  of the anatomical representation  55  extends outwardly from the front surface  62  and the rear surface  64  of the flexible framework  60  (see FIGS. 4-6). However, the thickness may only extend from one of the front surface  62  or rear surface  64  as the case may be.  
         [0022]    As noted above, a portion or the entirety of the anatomical representation  55  may be removable relative to the flexible framework  60  as desired. If the entire anatomical representation  50  is removable, it may be provided in an interchangeable format, wherein the anatomical representation  55  is situated in a removable housing  80  (FIG. 1) that is replaceable with other housings on which other anatomical representations are situated. Thus, instead of transporting multiple flexible frameworks housing multiple anatomical representations, it may only be necessary to transport one flexible framework and a variety of anatomical representation inserts for demonstrating a variety of different anatomical body parts.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an anatomical pocket model  100  in accordance with the present invention. For purposes of explanation, the model  100  is a three-dimensional representation of a stomach  105 , it being understood that other anatomy, human or otherwise, may be represented as desired. The model  100  comprises a flexible framework  110  having a front  120 , back  125 , top  130 , bottom  135 , left side  140 , right side  145  and thickness  150 . Identifying indicia  160  (FIG. 7) may be provided on a portion of the flexible framework  110  and/or on a portion  162  (FIG. 8) of the anatomical representation  105  as discussed above.  
         [0024]    In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, the framework  110  is irregular and does not enclose the three-dimensional anatomical representation  105  on all sides  130 ,  135 ,  140  and  145 . Instead, portions  106 ,  107  (FIGS. 7 and 8) of the anatomical representation  105  extend through the outer peripheral edge of the framework  110 . In addition, the bottom edge  135  of the flexible framework  110  follows the contour of the bottom edge of the anatomical representation  105  as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, the protruding parts  106 ,  107  of the anatomical representation  105  lend themselves to the natural shape of the anatomy which it represents, and enables the model  100  to realistically represent such anatomy with the most efficient use of space.  
         [0025]    Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the three-dimensional anatomical representation  110  has a length dimension  160  (FIG. 7) and a width dimension  165  (FIG. 7) that is proportional in size to an average, real-life anatomical body part that it represents. In this case, the length  160  and width  165  of the anatomical representation  105  of a stomach are proportionate to an average-sized human stomach. The thickness dimension  170  (FIG. 10) is preferably disproportionately sized relative to its real-life counterpart so that the model  100  is suited to fit in one&#39;s pocket. In addition, the thickness  170  of the anatomical representation  105  is preferably greater than the thickness  150  of the flexible framework  105 , which provides the model  100  with depth and the ability to demonstrate the anatomical representation  105  in three dimensions.  
         [0026]    In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, the thickness  170  of the anatomical representation  105  extends outwardly from the rear surface  125  of the flexible framework  110 . The front view of the model  100  shown in FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed depiction of the inner lining  175  of the stomach representation  105 , while the rear view of the model  100  shown in FIG. 8 illustrates the outer surface or lining  180  of the stomach representation  105 . Thus, the model  100  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an anatomical body part. To depict an abnormality in the stomach lining, such as a diseased pathology, an ulcer or an erosion of the lining for example, a portion  177  (FIG. 7) of the inner lining  175  may be removable from the anatomical representation  105 .  
         [0027]    As noted above, the anatomical representation  105  may be manufactured with, or separately from, the framework  110  using a variety of contemplated methods, and such representation  105  may be irremovable from the framework  110  or removable, partially or in its entirety, from such framework  110 . Regardless of how the model  100  is manufactured, it should preferably be constructed from a flexible material that will not injure or cause great discomfort to the medical professional or patient if he or she should bump into or lean against a rigid surface while carrying the model  100  in his or her pocket.  
         [0028]    While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.