Organ models and methods for manufacturing them

Abstract

This invention provides an organ model and a method for manufacturing the same that can maintain the mechanical properties, such as the stiffness, of actual organs for a long period of time. [Solution] An organ model 1 having a molded body 2 and a moisturizing layer 3, and a method for manufacturing the same. The molded body 2 is made of hydrogel and is modeled after the shape or partial shape of a biological organ. The moisturizing layer 3 covers at least a part of the molded body 2. The Young's modulus of the molded body 2 is adjusted to the range that an organ can take. The Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer 3 is smaller than that of the molded body 2. In the manufacturing method, the molded body is manufactured by molding, and then the molded body 2 is washed. The moisture content of the molded body 2 is also adjusted. Then, the moisturizing layer 3 is formed on the molded body 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an organ model of a living body such as a human body.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, medical technology has become more advanced and complex. Along with this, the techniques required for surgeons have also become more advanced and diverse. Therefore, surgical simulators may be used.

[0003] For organ models, for example, molded bodies made of various hydrogels such as polyvinyl alcohol resin and glucomannan, polyurethane, and silicone resin are used (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). This enables the realization of an organ model that simulates the shape of organs and tissues, the cutting feeling during surgical procedures, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for example, conventional organ models made of hydrogels have only realized soft ones with a low Young's modulus. Therefore, it has been difficult to realize an organ model that simulates an organ with a high Young's modulus and is relatively hard. In addition, conventional organ models tend to become hard after manufacture, and their mechanical properties gradually deviate from those of actual organs, so the mechanical properties of the organ models tend to be lost over time.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above background, and aims to provide an organ model and a method for manufacturing the same that can maintain the mechanical properties, such as the hardness, of actual organs for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a molded body made of hydrogel and which is modeled after the shape or partial shape of a biological organ, The molded body comprises a moisturizing layer that covers at least a portion of the molded body and prevents the molded body from drying out, The Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to a range that the organ can take. In the organ model, the Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer is smaller than that of the molded body.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the organ model, A process of curing a hydrogel precursor solution and shaping it into the shape of a biological organ or a part thereof to obtain a molded body, The process involves washing the molded body and replacing the internal liquid of the hydrogel with water. A step of adjusting the moisture content of the molded body to adjust the Young's modulus of the molded body to a range that the organ can take, The method for manufacturing an organ model includes the step of coating at least a portion of the molded body with a coating agent that provides a drying prevention effect to the molded body to form a moisturizing layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The organ model has a molded body that mimics the shape of an organ or a part thereof. The molded body is made of hydrogel, and its Young's modulus is adjusted to the range that an actual organ can take. In other words, the molded body simulates the mechanical properties, such as the stiffness, of an actual organ. Therefore, the organ model is effective for training in surgery and examinations.

[0010] Furthermore, the organ model has a moisturizing layer, which prevents the molded body from drying out. The moisturizing layer can suppress the loss of moisture from the hydrogel constituting the molded body over time. As a result, the Young's modulus of the organ model is maintained within the range that an actual organ can take. In addition, since the moisturizing layer has a lower Young's modulus than the molded body, it does not impair the hardness of the molded body that simulates an actual organ. Therefore, the organ model can maintain the mechanical properties, such as the hardness, of an actual organ for a long period of time.

[0011] In the above manufacturing method, the hydrogel precursor solution is cured and molded into the shape or partial shape of a biological organ. This yields a molded body composed of hydrogel that mimics the shape or partial shape of a biological organ. The molded body is then washed and the internal hydrogel solution is replaced with water. This makes it easier to control the Young's modulus of the molded body by adjusting the water content in the next step.

[0012] In the above manufacturing method, the Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to the range that the organ can take by adjusting the moisture content of the molded body. This makes it possible to obtain a molded body that simulates the hardness of an actual organ. Furthermore, the molded body is coated with a coating agent. The coating agent provides a drying prevention effect to the molded body. This forms a moisturizing layer, which helps maintain the hardness of the molded body. In this way, it is possible to manufacture organ models that can maintain the mechanical properties, such as the stiffness, of actual organs for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a magnified cross-sectional view of an organ model. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a photographic substitute diagram showing an organ model of the large intestine. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a photographic substitute diagram showing an organ model of the ascending colon. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a photographic substitute diagram showing an organ model of the transverse colon. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a photograph substitute diagram showing an organ model of the descending colon. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a photograph substitute diagram showing an organ model of the sigmoid colon. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a photograph substitute diagram showing an organ model mimicking the partial shape of the small intestine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a photograph substitute diagram showing an organ model mimicking the partial shape of the bile duct. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the measurement results of strain and pressure for hydrogels with different moisture contents in Experimental Example 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content and Young's modulus of a hydrogel molded body (specifically, a test piece) in Experimental Example 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the change over time of Young's modulus of an organ model (specifically, a test piece) composed of a hydrogel molded body and a moisture retention layer in Experimental Example 2, and the change over time of Young's modulus of a hydrogel molded body (specifically, a test piece) without a moisture retention layer. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a graph showing the daily change of Young's modulus of an organ model (specifically, a test piece) composed of a hydrogel molded body and a moisture retention layer in Experimental Example 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the change over time of Young's modulus of an organ model (specifically, a test piece) having a moisture retention layer composed of a cured product of PEGDA and glycerin in Experimental Example 3. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the change over time of Young's modulus of an organ model (specifically, a test piece) having a molded body composed of PEGDA in Experimental Example 4.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Next, preferred embodiments of the organ model will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the organ model 1 consists of a molded body 2 and a moisturizing layer 3 covering it. The shape of the organ model 1 can have a molded body 2 that has the shape of an actual organ or a part of an organ, and the whole can also have the shape of an actual organ or a part of an organ.

[0015] Figure 2 shows an organ model 11 of the large intestine. The organ model 11 of the large intestine can also simulate a portion of the ascending colon as shown in Figure 3, a portion of the transverse colon as shown in Figure 4, a portion of the descending colon as shown in Figure 5, or a portion of the sigmoid colon as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, an organ model 12 of the small intestine as shown in Figure 7, or an organ model 13 of the bile duct as shown in Figure 8, can also be used. The molded body 2 can be modeled after the shape or a portion of an organ. Table 1 shows the morphological characteristics of representative organs.

[0016] [Table 1]

[0017] The organ models described above are not limited to the aforementioned organs, but may also be organ models that mimic the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, bladder, stomach, esophagus, duodenum, liver, spleen, gallbladder, blood vessels, skin, etc. Furthermore, tissue models that mimic the tissues that make up each organ are also included in the organ models of this disclosure. Moreover, the organ models of this disclosure include not only models that mimic the entire organ or tissue, but also models that mimic the partial structure of organs or tissues.

[0018] The molded body is composed of a hydrogel. While the hydrogel is not particularly limited, examples include polysaccharide gels such as agarose gel; amide gels such as polyacrylamide gel; silicone hydrogels; water-soluble polyurethane; acrylic hydrogels such as polyethylene glycol diacrylate and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate; acrylic hydrogels such as polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate; protein hydrogels such as collagen; and synthetic hydrogels such as polyvinyl alcohol. The mechanical properties of the molded body, such as Young's modulus, can be adjusted depending on the hydrogel material. Furthermore, since hydrogels contain water, the mechanical properties of the molded body, such as Young's modulus, can be adjusted by controlling the water content in the hydrogel constituting the molded body. This makes it possible to create organ models that simulate both soft and hard organs.

[0019] The Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to the range that actual organs can take. Specifically, the Young's modulus of the molded body can be easily adjusted by adjusting the water content of the molded body composed of the aforementioned hydrogel. Examples of the Young's moduli of typical organs are shown in Table 2. The Young's modulus values ​​of the organs exemplified in Table 2 are specifically derived from the average value of the organ's Young's modulus and can be obtained, for example, from measured values ​​or publicly available medical data and other technical documents. In this specification, a Young's modulus of ±0.2 MPa (including 0) of the actual organ is considered to be adjusted to the range that actual organs can take. For example, in the case of the large intestine, a Young's modulus of 3.2 ± 0.2 MPa (including 0) of the molded body is considered to be adjusted to the range that actual organs can take.

[0020] [Table 2]

[0021] The Young's modulus is measured using a No. 7 dumbbell specimen in accordance with the provisions of JIS K6249 (2003).

[0022] As mentioned above, organ model 1 has a moisturizing layer 3 covering the surface of the molded body 2 (see Figure 1). The moisturizing layer 3 is formed to cover at least a portion of the molded body 2 and serves to prevent the molded body 2 from drying out. Furthermore, the moisturizing layer 3 is adjusted so that its Young's modulus is smaller than that of the molded body 2. Therefore, the moisturizing layer prevents the mechanical properties of the molded body, such as its hardness, from being impaired. The Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer 3 is measured, for example, by the same method as the Young's modulus of the molded body 2.

[0023] Since the moisturizing layer 3 can exert a drying prevention effect on the molded body 2 by covering it, the material of the moisturizing layer 3 is not necessarily limited. Preferably, the moisturizing layer 3 is formed from, for example, a hydrophilic polymer gel. In this case, the moisturizing effect of the moisturizing layer 3 (specifically, the drying prevention effect on the molded body) is improved. Examples of hydrophilic polymer gels that can be used include polymer gels containing surfactants and water, and polymer gels that contain hydrophilic groups such as hydroxyl groups in the structural units constituting the polymer. Specifically, examples of hydrophilic polymer gels include hydrogels containing surfactants, mixtures of polyols such as glycerin and hydrogels (specifically, their cured products), sodium polyacrylate gel, hyaluronic acid gel, calcium alginate gel, chitosan gel, polyacrylamide gel, polyvinyl alcohol gel, and nanocellulose composite gel.

[0024] The thickness of the moisturizing layer 3 is preferably made small enough so as not to impair the shape characteristics of the molded body 2 that mimics an organ. The thickness of the moisturizing layer 3 is preferably 20% or less of the thickness of the molded body 2 that mimics an organ, more preferably 10% or less of the thickness of the molded body 2, even more preferably 1% or less of the thickness of the molded body 2, and even more preferably 0.5% or less of the thickness of the molded body 2. More specifically, the thickness of the moisturizing layer 3 is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.5 mm or less.

[0025] The molded body 2 and the moisturizing layer 3 can also contain biomacromolecules such as high-molecular-weight glycoproteins (e.g., mucin). In this case, the properties of organ model 1 can be made closer to those of actual organs.

[0026] Furthermore, the molded body in the organ model may mimic the shape of an organ containing a lesion or the shape of a part of an organ. Preferably, the Young's modulus of the lesion portion of the molded body is adjusted to the range that a lesion can take, and the Young's modulus of the molded body other than the lesion portion is adjusted to the range that an organ can take. In this case, the organ model can be effectively used for simulating surgery or examination of organs with lesions (specifically, surgical simulators, examination simulators). Examples of lesions include cancer, tumors, inflammatory sites, abscesses, aneurysms, and thrombi. The Young's modulus of a lesion can be derived, for example, from the average value of the Young's modulus of the lesion, and can be obtained, for example, from measured values ​​or publicly available medical data and other technical documents. In this specification, the Young's modulus of the lesion is considered to be within the range that an actual lesion can take when it is within ±20% (including 0). Preferably, the Young's modulus of the lesion is within ±10%, more preferably within ±5%, and even more preferably within ±3%. In this case, the lesion area more accurately simulates the hardness of the actual lesion.

[0027] Since actual lesions often become harder than the surrounding tissue due to tissue alteration, it is preferable to make the Young's modulus of the lesion in the molded body higher than the surrounding tissue, while covering the lesion and its surroundings with at least a moisturizing layer. In this case, it becomes possible to realize an organ model that simulates an organ containing a lesion, and the organ model can be effectively used for simulating surgery or examination of the organ containing the lesion. The lesion with a higher Young's modulus than the surrounding tissue can be achieved, for example, by partially drying the molded body.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferable to construct the lesion area from a molded body that is not covered with a moisturizing layer, and the parts other than the lesion area from the molded body and the moisturizing layer. In this case, it is possible to easily realize organ models in cases where the lesion area is particularly hard compared to the surrounding area, such as in cancer.

[0029] Next, a method for manufacturing the organ model of this disclosure will be described. The organ model of this disclosure is manufactured, for example, by the following molding, washing, moisture adjustment, and coating steps.

[0030] In the molding process, a molded body is prepared that mimics the shape of an organ or a part of an organ. Specifically, for example, a hydrogel precursor liquid is cured in a mold of the desired shape that mimics an organ. This allows for the production of a molded body composed of hydrogel that mimics the shape of an organ or a part of an organ. In the molding process, the hydrogel can be cured by thermal polymerization or photopolymerization. The molding method is not particularly limited, and the molded body can be manufactured by in-mold molding using a mold or by a 3D printer.

[0031] In the washing process, the molded body is washed with water. This replaces the internal hydrogel solution that makes up the molded body with water. Next, in the moisture adjustment process, the Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to a range that is possible for organs by adjusting the moisture content of the molded body. In the moisture adjustment process, it is preferable to adjust the Young's modulus of the molded body by drying the molded body and then impregnating it with a predetermined amount of water. In this case, the adjustment of the Young's modulus of the molded body becomes easier. This is because adjusting the moisture content by water impregnation is easier than adjusting the moisture content by drying. Adjusting the moisture content by water impregnation is done, for example, by exposing the molded body to an atmosphere with a predetermined humidity. Specifically, this is done by placing the molded body in a humidity-controlled cabinet.

[0032] In the coating process, the molded body is coated with a coating agent that provides a drying prevention effect to form a moisturizing layer. The material of the coating agent is not necessarily limited, as covering the molded body will at least provide a drying prevention effect if the molded body is exposed. Preferably, the coating agent contains a hydrophilic polymer gel. In this case, the drying prevention effect of the moisturizing layer is improved. The hydrophilic polymer gel is as described above. When forming the moisturizing layer partially, for example, masking tape can be applied to the molded body to partially mask it while coating it with the coating agent. This allows the moisturizing layer to be formed in areas other than the masked portion. As described above, organ model 1, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, can be manufactured.

[0033] Next, we will explain the effects of organ models. As described above, organ model 1 has a molded body 2 that mimics the shape of an organ or a part thereof. Such a molded body 2 allows the shape characteristics of an organ or a part thereof to be reflected in organ model 1.

[0034] Furthermore, the molded body 2 is composed of hydrogel, and its Young's modulus is adjusted to the range that actual organs can take. This allows the molded body 2 to simulate the mechanical properties, such as stiffness, of actual organs, making the organ model 1 effective for training in surgery and examinations. The organ model 1 also has a moisturizing layer 3, which prevents the molded body 2 from drying out. Specifically, the moisturizing layer 3 can suppress the loss of moisture from the hydrogel constituting the molded body 2 over time. This maintains the Young's modulus of the organ model 1 within the range that actual organs can take. In addition, since the moisturizing layer 3 has a lower Young's modulus than the molded body 2, it does not impair the stiffness of the molded body 2, which simulates an actual organ. Therefore, the organ model 1 can maintain the mechanical properties, such as stiffness, of actual organs for a long period of time.

[0035] Furthermore, in organ model 1, the moisture content of the molded body 2 can be readjusted by removing the moisturizing layer 3. Specifically, the moisture content of the molded body 2 is readjusted by drying the molded body 2 from which the moisturizing layer 3 has been removed and then impregnating it with a predetermined amount of moisture. In this case, even if the moisturizing layer 3 is partially damaged during handling, or if the Young's modulus of the molded body 2 deviates from that of an actual organ due to some other reason, the Young's modulus of the molded body 2 can be reset to that of an actual organ. As described above, the organ model of this disclosure can be made capable of maintaining the mechanical properties, such as the stiffness, of actual organs for a long period of time.

[0036] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method disclosed herein, the hydrogel precursor liquid is cured and molded into the shape or partial shape of a biological organ. This yields a molded body 2 that is composed of hydrogel and mimics the shape or partial shape of a biological organ. The molded body 2 is then washed and the internal hydrogel liquid is replaced with water. This makes it easier to adjust the water content in the next step to control the Young's modulus of the molded body 2 within a desired range.

[0037] In the above manufacturing method, the Young's modulus of the molded body 2 is adjusted to the range that an organ can take by adjusting the moisture content of the molded body 2. This makes it possible to obtain a molded body 2 that simulates the hardness of an actual organ. The molded body is then coated with a coating agent. The coating agent provides a drying prevention effect to the molded body 2. This forms a moisturizing layer 3, which helps maintain the hardness of the molded body 2. In this way, it is possible to manufacture organ models that can maintain the mechanical properties, such as the stiffness, of actual organs for a long period of time.

[0038] (Experimental Example 1) This example demonstrates the evaluation of the hardness of a molded body made of hydrogel. Specifically, a test specimen of the aforementioned Dumbbell No. 7 was prepared as the molded body, and its pressure-strain properties were evaluated. The test specimen was prepared as follows. Although the molded body in this disclosure is originally modeled after the shape or partial shape of an actual organ, a plate-shaped specimen was used in this experimental example for the convenience of evaluation.

[0039] First, a hydrogel was prepared by mixing 96.6% by weight of "Wizard Gel®," a self-healing polymer gel manufactured by Yushiro Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., 0.4% by weight of sodium alginate, and 3 wt% of a polymerization initiator. The polymerization reaction was initiated to produce a plate-shaped molded body made of hydrogel. The polymerization initiator used was a thermal polymerization initiator. Next, the molded body was washed with deionized water, and the internal solution in the hydrogel was replaced with water.

[0040] In this example, a molded body composed of the substituted hydrogel was placed in a dehumidifying cabinet adjusted to a predetermined humidity (specifically, 32RH%, 37RH%, 50RH%, and 60RH%), and left until the moisture content inside the molded body reached equilibrium with the humidity inside the cabinet. In other words, in this example, the humidity inside the cabinet represents the moisture content of the molded body. After that, the molded body was removed from the cabinet, and a dumbbell No. 7 test specimen was cut from the molded body. Next, the pressure-strain properties of the test specimen were evaluated. The method for evaluating the pressure-strain properties of the test specimen was the same as the method for measuring Young's modulus described above. The results are shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0041] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, it is understood that the pressure-strain properties of a molded body made of hydrogel can be changed by altering the water content, thereby adjusting the Young's modulus of the molded body. In Figure 10, the Young's moduli of representative organs are shown by dashed lines, and this example shows that by adjusting the water content of the molded body, the Young's modulus of the molded body can be adjusted to match the Young's modulus of the actual organ.

[0042] (Experimental Example 2) In this example, we investigate the temporal and daily changes in the Young's modulus of an organ model. The organ model in this example consists of a molded body and a moisturizing layer. First, a plate-shaped molded body was prepared with a predetermined moisture content, similar to Experimental Example 1. The molded body in this example will be referred to as molded body sample 1 below.

[0043] Next, a coating agent was prepared by mixing 96.6% by weight of "Wizard Gel®," a self-healing polymer gel manufactured by Yushiro Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., 0.4% by weight of sodium alginate, and 3 wt% of a polymerization initiator. The coating agent used in this example will be referred to as "Coating Sample 1" below. The aforementioned plate-shaped molded body sample 1 was immersed in coating agent 1, and then the coating agent was cured. This formed a moisturizing layer on the surface of the molded body. Since coating sample 1 contains a surfactant derived from Wizard Gel, if the surface is not washed with water after curing, a moisturizing layer consisting of a hydrophilic polymer gel (specifically, a hydrogel) will be formed.

[0044] Next, test specimens similar to those in Experimental Example 1 were prepared from the molded body with the moisturizing layer formed on it, and the changes in Young's modulus over time and over time were investigated. The results are shown in Figures 11 and 12, respectively. For comparison, Figure 11 also shows the Young's modulus of the molded body before the moisturizing layer was formed. The method for measuring Young's modulus was the same as in Experimental Example 1.

[0045] As can be seen from Figure 11, in the comparative molded body without a moisturizing layer, the Young's modulus increased over time, whereas in the molded body with a moisturizing layer (i.e., the organ model of this disclosure), the increase in Young's modulus was suppressed. Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 12, the increase in Young's modulus was also suppressed over time in the molded body with a moisturizing layer.

[0046] Thus, as shown in this example, the organ model of this disclosure suppresses the increase in Young's modulus, and it is possible to maintain the initial mechanical properties such as hardness for a long period of time. Therefore, by adjusting the Young's modulus of the molded body to a range that actual organs can take, that Young's modulus can be maintained for a long period of time, and the hardness of the organ model can be stably maintained for a long period of time.

[0047] (Experimental Example 3) In this example, we investigate the change in Young's modulus over time when the material of the coating agent is changed.

[0048] First, a plate-shaped molded sample was prepared in the same manner as in Experimental Example 2, except that the polymerization initiator was changed from a thermal polymerization initiator to a photopolymerization initiator. Next, a coating agent was prepared by mixing PEGDA575 (i.e., polyethylene glycol diacrylate with a number average molecular weight of 575) and glycerin in a 1:1 weight ratio (where PEDGA:glycerin). Hereafter, this coating agent will be referred to as Coating Sample 2. Next, the molded sample of this example was immersed in Coating Sample 2, and a moisturizing layer was formed by curing Coating Sample 2 on the surface of the molded sample.

[0049] In this example, a coating agent was prepared by mixing PEGDA575 and glycerin in a weight ratio of 8:2 (where PEDGA:glycerin). This coating agent is appropriately referred to as coating sample 3. By using coating sample 3, a moisturizing layer was formed on the molded body sample prepared using the aforementioned photopolymerization initiator.

[0050] Next, the change in Young's modulus over time was measured for molded body samples having the moisturizing layer prepared as described above. The results are shown in Figure 13. Note that the moisture content of the molded bodies differs between the test specimens using coating sample 2 and the test specimens using coating sample 3.

[0051] As can be seen from Figure 13, it is clear that the Young's modulus retention effect can be obtained even when the type of coating agent is changed.

[0052] (Experimental Example 4) This example investigates the change in Young's modulus over time when the material of the molded body is changed. In this example, a molded body made of PEGDA was used.

[0053] First, PEGDA575 was cured to produce a plate-shaped molded body. A thermal polymerization initiator was used to cure the PEGDA575. Next, the moisture content of the molded body was adjusted to a predetermined value using the same method as in Experimental Example 1. By adjusting the moisture content, molded bodies with a moisture content of 90 wt% and molded bodies with a moisture content of 80 wt% were produced. The molded body with a moisture content of 90 wt% will be referred to as molded body sample 2 below, and the molded body with a moisture content of 80 wt% will be referred to as molded body sample 3 below. Both molded body sample 2 and molded body sample 3 are composed of PEGDA.

[0054] Next, a moisturizing layer was formed on the surfaces of molded sample 2 and molded sample 3 in the same manner as in Experimental Example 2. The moisturizing layer in this example was formed using coating sample 1, the same as in Experimental Example 2.

[0055] Next, the change in Young's modulus over time in molded sample 2 and molded sample 3, which had a moisturizing layer formed on them, was measured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 3. The results are shown in Figure 14.

[0056] As can be seen from Figure 14, it is clear that even if the material of the molded body is changed, the moisturizing layer can still maintain the Young's modulus.

[0057] As described above, an organ model comprising a molded body composed of hydrogel with a Young's modulus adjusted to the range possible for an organ, and a moisturizing layer covering it, makes it possible to maintain the mechanical properties, such as the stiffness, of an actual organ for a long period of time. Furthermore, such an organ model makes it possible to accurately simulate organ surgery and examinations.

[0058] The nature of this disclosure is as follows: [1] A molded body made of hydrogel and which is modeled after the shape or partial shape of a biological organ, The molded body comprises a moisturizing layer that covers at least a portion of the molded body and prevents the molded body from drying out, The Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to a range that the organ can take. An organ model in which the Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer is smaller than that of the molded body. [2] The organ model according to [1], wherein the Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to a range that the organ can take depending on the water content of the molded body. [3] The organ model according to [1] or [2], wherein the moisturizing layer comprises a hydrophilic polymer gel. [4] The organ model according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the hydrophilic polymer gel contains water, and the Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer is adjusted by the amount of water in the hydrophilic polymer gel constituting the moisturizing layer. [5] The organ model has a molded body that mimics the shape of the organ including the lesion or the partial shape of the organ, The Young's modulus of the lesion in the molded body is adjusted to be within the range that the lesion can take. The organ model according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the Young's modulus of the molded body other than the lesion is adjusted to be within the range that the organ can take. [6] The organ model according to [5], wherein the lesion portion is made of the molded body not covered by the moisturizing layer, and the portion other than the lesion portion is made of the molded body and the moisturizing layer. In the method for manufacturing an organ model described in any one of [7][1] to [6], A process of curing a hydrogel precursor solution and shaping it into the shape of a biological organ or a part thereof to obtain a molded body, The process involves washing the molded body and replacing the internal liquid of the hydrogel with water. A step of adjusting the moisture content of the molded body to adjust the Young's modulus of the molded body to a range that the organ can take, A method for manufacturing an organ model, comprising the step of coating at least a portion of the molded body with a coating agent that provides a drying prevention effect to the molded body to form a moisturizing layer. [8] The method for manufacturing an organ model according to [7], wherein the Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted by drying the molded body and then exposing the molded body to an atmosphere of predetermined humidity. [9] A method for producing an organ model according to [7] or [8], comprising a hydrophilic polymer gel as the coating agent.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and experimental examples described above, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1. Organ Model 11. Organ model of the large intestine 12. Organ model of the small intestine 13. Organ model of the bile duct 2 Molded body 3 Moisturizing layer

Claims

1. A molded body made of hydrogel and modeled after the shape or partial shape of a biological organ, The molded body comprises a moisturizing layer that covers at least a portion of the molded body and prevents the molded body from drying out, The Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to a range that the organ can take. An organ model in which the Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer is smaller than that of the molded body.

2. The organ model according to claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted to a range that the organ can take depending on the water content of the molded body.

3. The organ model according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing layer includes a hydrophilic polymer gel.

4. The organ model according to claim 3, wherein the hydrophilic polymer gel contains water, and the Young's modulus of the moisturizing layer is adjusted by the amount of water in the hydrophilic polymer gel constituting the moisturizing layer.

5. The organ model has a molded body that mimics the shape of the organ including the lesion or the partial shape of the organ, The Young's modulus of the lesion in the molded body is adjusted to be within the range that the lesion can take. The organ model according to claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of the molded body other than the lesion is adjusted to be within the range that the organ can take.

6. The organ model according to claim 5, wherein the lesion portion is made of the molded body not covered by the moisturizing layer, and the portion other than the lesion portion is made of the molded body and the moisturizing layer.

7. In the method for manufacturing an organ model according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A process of curing a hydrogel precursor solution and shaping it into the shape of a biological organ or a part thereof to obtain a molded body, The process involves washing the molded body and replacing the internal liquid of the hydrogel with water. A step of adjusting the moisture content of the molded body to adjust the Young's modulus of the molded body to a range that the organ can take, A method for manufacturing an organ model, comprising the step of coating at least a portion of the molded body with a coating agent that provides a drying prevention effect to the molded body to form a moisturizing layer.

8. The method for manufacturing an organ model according to claim 7, wherein the Young's modulus of the molded body is adjusted by drying the molded body and then exposing the molded body to an atmosphere of predetermined humidity.

9. The method for producing an organ model according to claim 7, wherein the coating agent comprises a hydrophilic polymer gel.

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