Physical-virtual patient bed system

A patient simulation system for medical training, comprising:

• a shell comprising a physical anatomical model of at least a portion of a patient's body, the shell adapted to be illuminated to provide one or more dynamic images viewable on the outer surface of the shell;
• an image system comprising one or more image units adapted to render the one or more dynamic images viewable on the shell, wherein the one or more image units comprise one or more projectors arranged with proper alignment, registration, and focus so that a projected image will project onto the underneath surface of the shell and show through on to the outer surface of the shell;
• one or more interface devices located underneath the shell to receive input from a user outside the outer surface of the shell, the one more interface devices comprising multiple camera units adapted for camera-based optical touch technology and multiple infrared light sources that emanate IR light to cover the area imaged by the multiple camera units such that IR light reflected from an object on the outside of the shell returns to the multiple camera units, wherein the multiple camera units and infrared light sources overlap to cover and decode touch over a non-parametric surface;
• and
• one or more computing units in communication with the image units and interface devices, the computing units adapted to provide an interactive simulation for medical training.