Human simulation device

Abstract

To make an X-ray image of an organ model close to an actual clinical image and improve the operability of a device in a human body simulation device.SOLUTION: A human body simulation device comprises: an organ model which simulates the outer shape of an organ and has a liquid storage part being a space that can store liquid therein; a gas-liquid separation tank which has an internal space that separates the gas from the liquid and stores them; and a gas supply suction device which supplies the gas to the gas-liquid separation tank and suctions the gas stored in the gas-liquid separation tank. The gas-liquid separation tank and the liquid storage part of the organ model are connected to each other by a communication member that circulates the liquid stored in the gas-liquid separation tank. When the gas is supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank, the organ model is expanded by supplying the gas in an amount according to the amount of the gas to the liquid storage part from the gas-liquid separation tank. When the gas is suctioned from the gas-liquid separation tank, the organ model is contracted by suctioning the liquid in an amount according to the amount of the gas to the gas-liquid separation tank from the liquid storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a human body simulation device.

Background Art

[0002] For minimally invasive treatment or examination into a living body lumen such as the circulatory system or digestive system, medical devices such as catheters are used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heart simulator that enables an operator such as a doctor to simulate procedures using these medical devices. The heart simulator described in Patent Document 1 includes a heart model having a plurality of mutually independent ventricles, and a fluid supply and discharge device that supplies and discharges fluid to and from the heart model, and pulsates the heart model by supplying and discharging fluid to each ventricle of the heart model. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a liquid container capable of suppressing gas from mixing into the contained liquid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in order for an operator such as a doctor to perform a procedure while checking the behavior of a heart model and a medical device within the heart model, an X-ray image of the heart model is acquired, and the procedure is performed while checking the X-ray image. However, in the heart simulator described in Patent Document 1, when a gas such as air is used as the fluid, there is a problem that the air filled in the heart model appears white on the X-ray image, and an X-ray image far from the actual clinical image is obtained. Further, in the heart simulator described in Patent Document 1, when a liquid such as water is used as the fluid, while an X-ray image close to the actual clinical image is obtained, it is not easy to control the liquid in the fluid supply / discharge device without water leakage, and there is a problem of inferior operability.

[0005] Moreover, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, no consideration is given to using a liquid for the pulsation of the heart model. Such problems are not limited to the case of reproducing the pulsation of the heart model, but are common problems for organ models of the human body, such as when simulating the movement of the diaphragm model accompanying the respiratory motion or when simulating the movement of the lung model accompanying the respiratory motion.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to bring an X-ray image of an organ model closer to an actual clinical image and improve the operability of the device in a human body simulation device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems and can be realized in the following forms.

[0008] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a human body simulation device is provided. This human body simulation device includes an organ model having a liquid storage part which is a space capable of simulating the outer shape of an organ and storing a liquid inside, a gas-liquid separation tank having an internal space for storing gas and liquid in a separated state, and a gas supply and suction device for supplying gas to the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank or sucking the gas stored in the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank. The internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank and the liquid storage part of the organ model are connected by a communication member for circulating the liquid stored in the gas-liquid separation tank. When gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device to the gas-liquid separation tank, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank to the liquid storage part, whereby the organ model expands. When gas is sucked from the gas-liquid separation tank by the gas supply and suction device, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the sucked gas is sucked from the liquid storage part to the gas-liquid separation tank, whereby the organ model contracts.

[0009] According to this configuration, the organ model expands when liquid is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank to the liquid storage part, and the organ model contracts when liquid is sucked from the liquid storage part to the gas-liquid separation tank. That is, for the expansion and contraction of the organ model, the liquid storage part of the organ model is filled with a liquid such as water or physiological saline. Therefore, compared with the case where a gas such as air is filled, it is possible to suppress the organ model from appearing white on the X-ray image and to bring the X-ray image of the organ model closer to the actual clinical image. Further, when gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device to the gas-liquid separation tank, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank to the liquid storage part. When gas is sucked from the gas-liquid separation tank by the gas supply and suction device, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the sucked gas is sucked from the liquid storage part to the gas-liquid separation tank. That is, the supply and suction of liquid by the gas-liquid separation tank are performed in accordance with the supply and suction of gas by the gas supply and suction device. For this reason, in the gas supply and suction device, gas can be controlled without water leakage, and the operability of the human body simulation device can be improved.

[0010] (2) In the human body simulation device of the above form, the gas-liquid separation tank includes a partitioning member that partitions the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank into a first space for accommodating gas and a second space located vertically below the first space for accommodating liquid. The gas-liquid separation tank has a first opening that communicates the first space with the outside and a second opening that communicates the second space with the outside. The gas-liquid separation tank may be connected to the gas supply and suction device via the first opening and connected to the liquid storage portion of the organ model via the second opening. According to this configuration, the gas-liquid separation tank includes a partitioning member that partitions the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank into a first space for accommodating gas and a second space for accommodating liquid. The gas-liquid separation tank is connected to the gas supply and suction device via a first opening that communicates the first space with the outside, and is connected to the liquid storage portion of the organ model via a second opening that communicates the second space with the outside. Therefore, when gas is supplied into the first space from the gas supply and suction device, the partitioning member is present between the first and second spaces, so that cavitation in the liquid in the second space can be suppressed. Further, when the gas in the first space is sucked by the gas supply and suction device, the partitioning member is present between the first and second spaces, so that the intrusion of liquid into the first space can be suppressed. As a result, the operability of the human body simulation device can be further improved.

[0011] (3) In the human body simulation device of the above form, the partitioning member is in a flat plate shape having a first main surface facing the first space and a second main surface facing the second space, and a through hole penetrating the first main surface and the second main surface may be formed in the partitioning member. According to this configuration, since the partitioning member is in a flat plate shape having a first main surface facing the first space and a second main surface facing the second space, the mixing of bubbles into the liquid in the second space and the intrusion of liquid into the first space can be effectively suppressed. Further, the second space is located vertically below the first space, and a through hole penetrating the first main surface and the second main surface is formed in the partitioning member. Therefore, the liquid supplied into the first space can be guided to the second space through the through hole of the partitioning member.

[0012] (4) In the human body simulation device of the above-described embodiment, a control device for controlling the supply amount and supply time of the gas by the gas supply and suction device and the suction amount and suction time of the gas by the gas supply and suction device is further provided. After causing the gas supply and suction device to supply a first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank over a first predetermined time, the control device repeats an operation of causing the gas supply and suction device to suck a second predetermined amount of gas from the gas-liquid separation tank over a second predetermined time. When the gas supply and suction device first supplies gas to the gas-liquid separation tank after the control device is started, the supply of the first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank may be performed over a third predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time. According to this configuration, after the control device causes the gas supply and suction device to supply a first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank over a first predetermined time, the control device repeats an operation of causing the gas supply and suction device to suck a second predetermined amount of gas from the gas-liquid separation tank over a second predetermined time, so that the organ model can be regularly expanded and contracted. Further, when the gas supply and suction device first supplies gas to the gas-liquid separation tank after the control device is started, the control device causes the supply of the first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank to be performed over a third predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time, so that damage to the organ model due to rapid expansion can be suppressed.

[0013] (5) In the human body simulation device of the above-described embodiment, the organ model is a heart model that simulates the outer shape of the heart, and the gas supply and suction device and the gas-liquid separation tank may function as a pulsation unit that simulates the pulsation of the heart model by expanding and contracting the heart model. According to this configuration, a human body simulation device having a pulsating heart model can be provided.

[0014] (6) In the human body simulation apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the organ model is a diaphragm model that simulates the outer shape of the diaphragm, and the gas supply and suction device and the gas-liquid separation tank may function as a breathing operation unit that simulates the movement of the diaphragm model accompanying the breathing operation by expanding and contracting the diaphragm model. According to this configuration, a human body simulation apparatus having a diaphragm model that moves with the breathing operation can be provided.

[0015] Note that the present invention can be realized in various aspects, for example, in the form of a human body simulation apparatus, a heart simulator including a heart model, a diaphragm simulator including a diaphragm model, a lung simulator including a lung model, a control method of these apparatuses, and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the human body simulation device 1. The human body simulation device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device used to simulate a treatment or examination procedure using a medical device such as a catheter or a guide wire for minimally invasive treatment or examination on the lumens of living bodies such as the circulatory system, digestive system, and respiratory system of the human body. The human body simulation device 1 includes a model 10, a water tank 21, a filtration filter 23, a pump 24, a control device 30, a pulsation unit 40, a respiratory motion unit 50, and a pulsating unit 60.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the model 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the model 10 includes a heart model 110 that simulates the outer shape of the human heart, a large artery model 160 that simulates the outer shape of the human aorta, and a diaphragm model 170 that simulates the outer shape of the human diaphragm. Hereinafter, the heart model 110 and the diaphragm model 170 are also referred to as "organ models". The details of the model 10 will be described later. In FIG. 2, the portion through which the liquid 22 (simulated blood) flows is represented by dot hatching, and the portion through which the liquid for expansion / contraction of the heart model 110 and the diaphragm model 170 flows is represented by diagonal hatching.

[0019] The water tank 21 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped water tank with an open top. As shown in FIG. 1, with the inside of the water tank 21 filled with the liquid 22, the model 10 is placed on the bottom surface of the water tank 21, so that the model 10 is submerged in the liquid 22. Thereby, the model 10 can be kept in a wet state similar to that of an actual human body. Note that as the liquid 22, water, physiological saline, an aqueous solution of an arbitrary compound, etc. can be adopted. The liquid 22 filled in the water tank 21 is taken into the inside of the aorta model 160 and functions as simulated blood simulating blood. Note that the water tank 21 may further be provided with a wave suppressor that covers the surface of the liquid 22. By using the wave suppressor, the undulation occurring on the surface of the liquid 22 can be suppressed, and the visibility of the model 10 can be improved. The water tank 21 and the wave suppressor can be formed of an arbitrary material in addition to a synthetic resin (for example, an acrylic resin) having X-ray permeability and high transparency.

[0020] The control device 30 is constituted by, for example, a personal computer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage unit, and an input / output interface (not shown). The control device 30 controls the pulsation unit 40, the respiratory motion unit 50, the pulsation unit 60, and the pump 24 (FIG. 1: broken line arrow) by expanding and executing a computer program stored in the ROM in the RAM. As the input / output interface of the control device 30, an arbitrary device, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, an operation button, an operation dial, a foot switch, a microphone, a monitor, an indicator, a speaker, etc. can be adopted.

[0021] The pulsating unit 40 simulates the pulsation of the heart model 110 of the model 10 by expanding and contracting the heart model 110. Specifically, the pulsating unit 40 expands the heart model 110 by supplying liquid into the heart model 110. Also, the pulsating unit 40 contracts the heart model 110 by sucking the liquid in the heart model 110. Details will be described later. The respiratory movement unit 50 simulates the movement of the diaphragm model 170 accompanying the respiratory movement by expanding and contracting the diaphragm model 170 of the model 10. Specifically, the respiratory movement unit 50 expands the diaphragm model 170 by supplying liquid into the diaphragm model 170. Also, the respiratory movement unit 50 contracts the diaphragm model 170 by sucking the liquid in the diaphragm model 170. Details will be described later.

[0022] The filtration filter 23 is connected to the opening 21O provided in the water tank 21 via a tubular body. The filtration filter 23 removes impurities (for example, contrast agents used in procedures, etc.) in the liquid 22 by filtering the liquid 22 passing through the filtration filter 23. The pump 24 is connected downstream of the filtration filter 23 and circulates the filtered liquid 22 at a constant flow rate. As the pump 24, for example, a non-positive displacement centrifugal pump can be used. The pulsation unit 60 incorporates a pulsation pump and simulates the blood flow from the aorta model 160 by sending out the liquid 22 that has been pulsated against the inner cavity 160L (FIG. 2) of the aorta model 160. As the pulsation pump, for example, a positive displacement reciprocating pump or a rotary pump operated at a low speed can be used.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the heart model 110 of the model 10 has an outer shape that simulates the outer shape of the human heart. Inside the heart model 110, a liquid storage portion R110, which is a space capable of storing a liquid, is provided. The liquid storage portion R110 communicates with the outside through an opening 110a provided at an arbitrary location of the heart model 110. The liquid storage portion R110 is connected to the pulsating portion 40 (specifically, the gas-liquid separation tank 420 described in FIG. 3) by a first communication member 41 attached to the position of the heart model 110 where the opening 110a is provided. The first communication member 41 is a tubular member having a first lumen 41L inside, and is used to circulate the liquid accommodated in the pulsating portion 40 (specifically, the gas-liquid separation tank 420).

[0024] In addition, on the outer surface of the heart model 110, a cardiac blood vessel model 111 and a coronary artery model 112 are provided. The cardiac blood vessel model 111 is a tubular blood vessel model that simulates a part of the ascending aorta. The proximal end of the cardiac blood vessel model 111 is connected in a state where the lumen communicates with the aorta model 160. The distal end of the cardiac blood vessel model 111 is connected in a state where the lumen communicates with the coronary artery model 112. The coronary artery model 112 is a tubular blood vessel model that simulates the coronary artery. As shown in FIG. 2, the coronary artery model 112 has a tubular right coronary artery model 112R that simulates the right coronary artery and a tubular left coronary artery model 112L that simulates the left coronary artery. At the distal ends of the right coronary artery model 112R and the left coronary artery model 112L, tip openings 112O that communicate the lumen of each coronary artery model 112R, L with the outside are provided.

[0025] The aortic model 160 of model 10 has an outer shape that simulates the outer shape of the aorta of the human body. Inside the aortic model 160, a lumen 160L for fluid circulation is provided. The lumen 160L communicates with the outside through an opening 160a provided at any location of the aortic model 160. The lumen 160L of the aortic model 160 is connected to the pulsation part 60 (Fig. 2) by a third communication member 61 attached to the position where the opening 160a is provided in the aortic model 160. The third communication member 61 is a tubular member having a third lumen 61L inside and is used to circulate the liquid 22 sent out from the pulsation part 60. Specifically, the liquid 22 (simulated blood) sent out from the pulsation part 60 advances through the third lumen 61L in the direction of the heart model 110 in the lumen 160L of the aortic model 160, and is discharged into the water tank 21 from the tip opening 112O through the lumen of the cardiovascular model 111 and the lumens of the coronary artery models 112R and 112L.

[0026] The diaphragm model 170 of model 10 has an outer shape that simulates the outer shape of the diaphragm of the human body. Inside the diaphragm model 170, a liquid storage part R170, which is a space capable of storing liquid, is provided. The liquid storage part R170 communicates with the outside through an opening 170a provided at any location of the diaphragm model 170. The diaphragm model 170 is connected to the respiratory motion part 50 by a second communication member 51 attached to the position where the opening 170a is provided in the diaphragm model 170. The second communication member 51 is a tubular member having a second lumen 51L inside and is used to circulate the liquid accommodated in the respiratory motion part 50.

[0027] Incidentally, the heart model 110, the cardiovascular model 111, the coronary artery model 112, the aorta model 160, the diaphragm model 170, the first communication member 41, the second communication member 51, and the third communication member 61 can be formed of well-known materials in addition to a synthetic resin (e.g., silicon, etc.) of a flexible material having X-ray permeability. Further, the first communication member 41, the second communication member 51, and the third communication member 61 may be formed of a synthetic resin having X-ray permeability and higher rigidity than silicon or the like. The heart model 110, the cardiovascular model 111, the coronary artery model 112, the aorta model 160, the diaphragm model 170, the first communication member 41, the second communication member 51, and the third communication member 61 may be formed of the same material or different materials.

[0028] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the pulsating unit 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the pulsating unit 40 of the present embodiment is composed of a gas supply and suction device 410 and a gas-liquid separation tank 420.

[0029] The gas supply and suction device 410 is a device that supplies gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 or sucks the gas in the gas-liquid separation tank 420. The gas supply and suction device 410 has an electric actuator 411 and an air cylinder 412. The electric actuator 411 is a device that electrically drives a piston disposed in the internal space of the air cylinder 412. The air cylinder 412 is made of metal, and a piston is disposed in the internal space. When the electric actuator 411 moves the piston in the D1 direction in FIG. 3, the gas compressed by the piston in the housing of the air cylinder 412 is sent out to the outside through the cylinder opening 410a of the air cylinder 412. Further, when the electric actuator 411 moves the piston in the D2 direction in FIG. 3, a negative pressure is generated in the housing of the air cylinder 412, and external gas is sucked through the cylinder opening 410a of the air cylinder 412. Incidentally, the gas supply amount and supply time by the gas supply and suction device 410 and the gas suction amount and suction time by the gas supply and suction device are controlled by the control device 30 (FIG. 1).

[0030] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of the gas-liquid separation tank 420. The gas-liquid separation tank 420 is a device having internal spaces R1 and R2 for accommodating a gas and a liquid in a separated state. As shown in FIG. 4, the gas-liquid separation tank 420 of the present embodiment includes a main body portion 421, an upper housing 422, a lower housing 423, a first connection portion 424, a second connection portion 426, a third connection portion 425, a fourth connection portion 427, and a partitioning member 4211.

[0031] The main body portion 421 is a cylindrical container. The upper housing 422 is a lid provided above the main body portion 421 in the vertical direction and has a disk shape. Three through-holes 4221, 4222, and 4223 (FIG. 4: broken lines) that communicate the upper and lower surfaces in the vertical direction are formed in the upper housing 422. The lower housing 423 is a bottom plate provided below the main body portion 421 in the vertical direction and has a disk shape. A through-hole 4231 (FIG. 4: broken line) that communicates the upper and lower surfaces in the vertical direction is formed in the lower housing 423.

[0032] The first connection portion 424 is a straight joint and is attached to the position where the through-hole 4221 is provided in the upper housing 422. Hereinafter, among the openings at both ends of the first connection portion 424, the opening exposed to the outside is also referred to as the "first opening 420a". The first opening 420a is an opening that communicates the internal space (first space R1) of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 with the outside. The second connection portion 426 is an L-shaped joint and is attached to the position where the through-hole 4231 is provided in the lower housing 423. Hereinafter, among the openings at both ends of the second connection portion 426, the opening exposed to the outside is also referred to as the "second opening 420c". The second opening 420c is an opening that communicates the internal space (second space R2) of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 with the outside.

[0033] The third connection part 425 is an L-shaped joint and is attached to the position in the upper housing 422 where the through hole 4222 is provided. Hereinafter, among the openings at both ends of the third connection part 425, the opening exposed to the outside is also referred to as the "third opening 420b". The third opening 420b is an opening that communicates the internal space (the first space R1) of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 with the outside. The fourth connection part 427 is an L-shaped joint and is attached to the position in the upper housing 422 where the through hole 4223 is provided. Hereinafter, among the openings at both ends of the fourth connection part 427, the opening exposed to the outside is also referred to as the "fourth opening 420d". The fourth opening 420d is an opening that communicates the internal space (the first space R1) of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 with the outside.

[0034] The partition member 4211 is a member for partitioning the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 into a first space R1 and a second space R2, and is a circular flat plate shape along the inner wall of the main body part 421. Here, the first space R1 means a space for accommodating gas in the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank 420. The second space R2 means a space for accommodating liquid in the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank 420. As shown in the figure, the second space R2 is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction (in other words, the side where the lower housing 423, the second connection part 426, and the second opening 420c are located) than the first space R1. Such a positional relationship between the first space R1 and the second space R2 is due to the structure in which the gas-liquid separation tank 420 separates gas and liquid by gravity.

[0035] Among the pair of main surfaces 4211a and 4211b of the partition member 4211, the surface facing the first space R1 is called the first main surface 4211a, and the surface facing the second space R2 is called the second main surface 4211b. As shown in FIG. 4, through holes 4212 penetrating the first main surface 4211a and the second main surface 4211b are formed in the partition member 4211. In the example of the present embodiment, three circular through holes 4212 are formed in the partition member 4211, and these three through holes 4212 are provided at positions equally separated from the center of the partition member 4211 (note that since FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, only two through holes 4212 are shown). Note that the inner diameter, number, and shape of the through holes 4212 are only examples and can be arbitrarily changed.

[0036] Note that at least a part of the main body 421, the upper housing 422, the lower housing 423, the first connection part 424, the second connection part 426, the third connection part 425, the fourth connection part 427, and the partition member 4211 described above may be integrally formed instead of being separate members. For example, the main body 421 and the partition member 4211 may be integrally formed. For example, the upper housing 422, the first connection part 424, the third connection part 425, and the fourth connection part 427 may be integrally formed. Also, at least a part of the first connection part 424, the second connection part 426, and the third connection part 425 may be omitted. For example, when the first connection part 424 is omitted, among the through holes 4221 of the upper housing 422, the opening exposed to the outside corresponds to the "first opening 420a". Similarly, when the third connection part 425 is omitted, among the through holes 4222 of the upper housing 422, the opening exposed to the outside corresponds to the "third opening 420b". When the second connection part 426 is omitted, among the through holes 4231 of the lower housing 423, the opening exposed to the outside corresponds to the "second opening 420c".

[0037] Returning to FIG. 3 and continuing the explanation. The gas supply and suction device 410 is connected to the first space R1 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 by the communication member 42. The communication member 42 is a tubular member having a lumen inside and is used to circulate gas between the gas supply and suction device 410 and the gas-liquid separation tank 420. One end of the communication member 42 is attached to the gas supply and suction device 410 via the cylinder opening 410a. The other end of the communication member 42 is attached to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 via the first opening 420a (FIG. 4: the first connection part 424). The lumen in the communication member 42 functions as a flow path for circulating gas between the gas supply and suction device 410 and the gas-liquid separation tank 420.

[0038] The second space R2 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 is connected to the liquid storage part R110 of the heart model 110 by the first communication member 41. As described above, the first communication member 41 is a tubular member having a first lumen 41L inside, and is used to allow liquid to flow between the gas-liquid separation tank 420 and the heart model 110. One end of the first communication member 41 is attached to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 through the second opening 420c (Fig. 4: the second connection part 426). The other end of the first communication member 41 is attached to the heart model 110 through the opening 110a. That is, as shown by the solid-line arrow in Fig. 3, the first lumen 41L in the first communication member 41 functions as a flow path for allowing liquid to flow between the gas-liquid separation tank 420 and the heart model 110.

[0039] Figs. 5 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the expansion and contraction operation of the heart model 110. Fig. 5(A) shows the state of preliminary preparation for the gas-liquid separation tank 420. Fig. 5(B) shows the state of the heart model 110 at the time of Fig. 5(A). First, as preliminary preparation, the second space R2 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 is filled with a liquid (for example, water, physiological saline, etc.). The filling of the liquid can be performed by attaching air-cock hoses (not shown) to the third connection part 425 and the fourth connection part 427 respectively, and supplying the liquid to the first space R1 through the third opening 420b of the third connection part 425 while discharging the internal gas from the first space R1 through the fourth opening 420d of the fourth connection part 427. The liquid supplied from the third opening 420b passes through the first space R1 and fills the second space R2 through the through-hole 4212 of the partition member 4211. Here, the volume of the liquid to be filled is preferably not more than the volume of the second space R2. After the filling of the liquid is completed, the air cocks are closed respectively to seal the third opening 420b and the fourth opening 420d, and suppress the leakage of gas and liquid from the third opening 420b and the fourth opening 420d.

[0040] FIG. 6(A) shows the state of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 when gas is supplied. FIG. 6(B) shows the state of the heart model 110 at the time of FIG. 6(A). After filling the second space R2 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 with liquid, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 6(A), gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device 410 to the gas-liquid separation tank 420. Then, as shown by the black arrow in FIGS. 6(A) and (B), an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the second space R2 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 to the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110 through the first lumen 41L of the first communication member 41. FIG. 7(A) shows the state of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 when more gas is supplied. FIG. 7(B) shows the state of the heart model 110 at the time of FIG. 7(A). When the supply of gas from the gas supply and suction device 410 to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 is further continued, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 7(B), the heart model 110 formed of a soft material expands according to the increase in the volume of the liquid in the liquid storage portion R110.

[0041] FIG. 8(A) shows the state of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 when gas is suctioned. FIG. 8(B) shows the state of the heart model 110 at the time of FIG. 8(A). After the expansion of the heart model 110, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 8(A), gas is suctioned from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 by the gas supply and suction device 410. Then, as shown by the black arrow in FIGS. 8(A) and (B), an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the suctioned gas is suctioned from the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110 to the second space R2 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 through the first lumen 41L of the first communication member 41. Thereby, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 8(B), the heart model 110 formed of a soft material contracts according to the decrease in the volume of the liquid in the liquid storage portion R110.

[0042] The control device 30 (FIG. 1) simulates the pulsation of the heart model 110 by regularly expanding / contracting the heart model 110 by repeating the following processes a1 and a2. (a1) The control device 30 causes the gas supply and suction device 410 to supply a first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 over a first predetermined time. (a2) The control device 30 causes the gas supply and suction device 410 to suction a second predetermined amount of gas from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 over a second predetermined time period. Here, the first predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount can be arbitrarily determined according to the target value of the size of the heart model 110 during expansion. The first predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount may or may not be the same. Also, the first predetermined time period can be arbitrarily determined according to the target value of the time required for the heart model 110 to expand. The second predetermined time period can be arbitrarily determined according to the target value of the time required for the heart model 110 to contract. The first predetermined time period and the second predetermined time period may or may not be the same.

[0043] Note that when the control device 30 first performs the supply of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 by the gas supply and suction device 410 after the start of the control device 30 (in other words, at the time of execution of the first process a1), it is preferable to cause the gas supply and suction device 410 to supply a first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 over a third predetermined time period. The third predetermined time period is longer than the first predetermined time period described above. In this way, the control device 30 can expand the heart model 110 slowly and over time only at the time of execution of the first process a1.

[0044] The breathing operation unit 50 in FIG. 1 also has the same configuration as the pulsation unit 40 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. That is, the breathing operation unit 50 includes a gas supply and suction device and a gas-liquid separation tank. When gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device to the gas-liquid separation tank, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank to the liquid storage portion R170 of the diaphragm model 170, whereby the diaphragm model 170 expands. Also, when gas is suctioned from the gas-liquid separation tank by the gas supply and suction device, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the suctioned gas is suctioned from the liquid storage portion R170 of the diaphragm model 170 to the gas-liquid separation tank, whereby the diaphragm model 170 contracts. Note that also for the breathing operation unit 50, the gas supply amount and supply time by the gas supply and suction device and the gas suction amount and suction time by the gas supply and suction device are controlled by the control device 30.

[0045] As described above, according to the human body simulation device 1 of the first embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 6(B) and 7(B), when the liquid is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 to the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110, the heart model 110 (organ model) expands. As described with reference to FIG. 8(B), when the liquid is sucked from the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110 to the gas-liquid separation tank 420, the heart model 110 contracts. That is, for the expansion and contraction of the heart model 110, the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110 is filled with a liquid such as water or physiological saline. Therefore, compared with the case where a gas such as air is filled, it is possible to suppress the white appearance on the X-ray image and make the X-ray image of the heart model 110 closer to the actual clinical image. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 6(A) and 7(A), when gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device 410 to the gas-liquid separation tank 420, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 to the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110. As described with reference to FIG. 8(A), when the gas is sucked from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 by the gas supply and suction device 410, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the sucked gas is sucked from the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110 to the gas-liquid separation tank 420. That is, the supply and suction of the liquid by the gas-liquid separation tank 420 are performed in accordance with the supply and suction of the gas by the gas supply and suction device 410. Therefore, in the gas supply and suction device 410, the gas can be controlled without water leakage, and the operability of the human body simulation device 1 can be improved.

[0046] Also, according to the human body simulation device 1 of the first embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the gas-liquid separation tank 420 includes a partitioning member 4211 that partitions the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 into a first space R1 for accommodating gas and a second space R2 for accommodating liquid. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the gas-liquid separation tank 420 is connected to the gas supply and suction device 410 via a first opening 420a that communicates the first space R1 with the outside, and is connected to the liquid storage portion R110 of the heart model 110 (organ model) via a second opening 420c that communicates the second space R2 with the outside. Therefore, when gas is supplied into the first space R1 from the gas supply and suction device 410, the partitioning member 4211 is present between the first and second spaces R1 and R2, thereby suppressing the occurrence of cavitation in the liquid in the second space R2. Also, when the gas in the first space R1 is sucked by the gas supply and suction device 410, the partitioning member 4211 is present between the first and second spaces R1 and R2, thereby suppressing the intrusion of liquid into the first space R1. As a result, the operability of the human body simulation device 1 can be further improved.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the human body simulation device 1 of the first embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the partitioning member 4211 of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 is in a flat plate shape having a first main surface 4211a facing the first space R1 and a second main surface 4211b facing the second space R2. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the mixing of bubbles into the liquid in the second space R2 and the intrusion of liquid into the first space R1. Also, the second space R2 is located below the first space R1 in the vertical direction, and the partitioning member 4211 is formed with a through hole 4212 that penetrates the first main surface 4211a and the second main surface 4211b. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the liquid supplied into the first space R1 can be guided to the second space R2 through the through hole 4212 of the partitioning member 4211.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the human body simulation device 1 of the first embodiment, after the control device 30 causes the gas supply and suction device 410 to supply a first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 over a first predetermined time (process a1), the control device 30 repeats an operation (process a2) of causing the gas supply and suction device 410 to suck a second predetermined amount of gas from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 over a second predetermined time. Therefore, the heart model 110 (organ model) can be regularly expanded and contracted. In addition, when the control device 30 first supplies gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 after the control device 30 is activated, the control device 30 causes the supply of the first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank 420 to be performed over a third predetermined time that is longer than the first predetermined time, so that damage to the heart model 110 due to rapid expansion can be suppressed.

[0049] As described above, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the human body simulation device 1 having the pulsating heart model 110 can be provided. In addition, the human body simulation device 1 having the diaphragm model 170 that moves along with the breathing motion can be provided.

[0050] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the gas-liquid separation tank 420A of the second embodiment. The human body simulation device 1 of the second embodiment includes a gas-liquid separation tank 420A shown in FIG. 9 instead of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 described with reference to FIG. 4. The gas-liquid separation tank 420A does not include the partitioning member 4211 in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 4 and has a single internal space R. As described with reference to FIG. 5(A), when liquid is supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank 420A, in the internal space R, the liquid accumulates on the lower side in the vertical direction due to gravity, and the gas accumulates on the upper side in the vertical direction, so that the gas and the liquid are accommodated in a separated state. Therefore, the heart model 110 can also be expanded and contracted by the same operation as that described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 by the gas-liquid separation tank 420A.

[0051] Thus, the configuration of the gas-liquid separation tank 420A can be variously modified and may be configured to have a single internal space R. The human body simulation apparatus 1 having such a gas-liquid separation tank 420A of the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0052] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the gas-liquid separation tank 420B of the third embodiment. The human body simulation apparatus 1 of the third embodiment includes the gas-liquid separation tank 420B shown in FIG. 10 instead of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 described with reference to FIG. 4. The gas-liquid separation tank 420B has a partition member 4211B instead of the partition member 4211 in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 10, five through holes 4212B penetrating the first main surface 4211a and the second main surface 4211b are formed in the partition member 4211B. These five through holes 4212B are each linear and arranged at equal intervals.

[0053] Thus, the configuration of the gas-liquid separation tank 420B can be variously modified and may include a partition member 4211B having through holes 4212B with a number and shape different from those of the first embodiment. The width, number, and shape of the through holes 4212B are merely examples and can be arbitrarily changed. Also, the through holes 4212B do not have to be arranged at equal intervals. The human body simulation apparatus 1 having such a gas-liquid separation tank 420B of the third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0054] <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the model 10C according to the fourth embodiment. The human body simulation apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a model 10C shown in FIG. 11 instead of the model 10 described with reference to FIG. 2. The model 10C has a heart model 110C instead of the heart model 110. The heart model 110C further includes a balloon 119 accommodated in the internal space of the heart model 110C in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 2. The balloon 119 is made of an elastic body such as rubber or a synthetic resin of a flexible material (for example, silicon or the like), and is formed of a material that transmits radiation. The balloon 119 is connected to the pulsating portion 40 (the first opening 420a of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 in FIG. 3) by the first communication member 41. Thereby, the inside of the balloon 119 functions as a liquid storage portion R119 which is a space capable of storing a liquid.

[0055] As described above, the configuration of the model 10C can be variously modified. The balloon 119 is accommodated in the internal space of the heart model 110C, and the internal space of the balloon 119 may function as the liquid storage portion R119. In the example of FIG. 11, the heart model 110C has a built-in balloon 119. However, instead of the heart model 110C or together with the heart model 110C, the diaphragm model 170 may have a built-in balloon. The human body simulation apparatus 1 having the model 10C according to the fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above. Further, in the human body simulation apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment, water leakage from the heart model 110C (organ model) can be further suppressed.

[0056] <Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the human body simulation apparatus 1D according to the fifth embodiment. The human body simulation apparatus 1D according to the fifth embodiment has a model 10D instead of the model 10 in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 1, and does not include the filtration filter 23, the pump 24, the breathing operation portion 50, and the pulsation portion 60.

[0057] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the model 10D of the fifth embodiment. The model 10D of the fifth embodiment has a heart model 110D instead of the heart model 110 in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 2, and does not have the aorta model 160 and the diaphragm model 170. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the heart model 110D does not have the cardiovascular model 111 and the coronary artery model 112 described with reference to FIG. 2. That is, in the human body simulation device 1D of the fifth embodiment, only the pulsation of the heart model 110D due to the expansion and contraction of the heart model 110D is simulated.

[0058] As described above, the configuration of the human body simulation device 1D can be variously changed. By omitting the aorta model 160, the filtration filter 23, the pump 24, and the pulsation unit 60, the simulation of the blood flow from the aorta model 160 may be omitted. Further, by omitting the diaphragm model 170 and the respiratory motion unit 50, the simulation of the movement of the diaphragm model 170 accompanying the respiratory motion may be omitted. In the example of FIG. 13, both the aorta model 160 and the diaphragm model 170 are omitted, but only one of them may be omitted. The human body simulation device 1D of the fifth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above. Further, in the human body simulation device 1D of the fifth embodiment, the configuration of the human body simulation device 1D can be simplified.

[0059] <Modifications of the present embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

[0060] [Modification 1] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, an example of the configuration of the human body simulation devices 1 and 1D was shown. However, the configuration of the human body simulation device 1 can be variously modified. For example, in the human body simulation device 1, the model 10 does not necessarily have to be immersed in the liquid 22 in the water tank 21. In this case, the water tank 21 can be omitted. For example, the human body simulation device 1 may include other medical devices (for example, FPD devices, CT devices, MRI devices, etc.) not shown in the drawings. For example, the human body simulation device 1 may include other medical devices (for example, catheters, monorail guidewires, through-wire guidewires, etc.) not shown in the drawings.

[0061] [Modification Example 2] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, an example of the configuration of the models 10, 10C, and 10D was shown. However, the configuration of the model 10 can be variously modified. For example, the model 10 may include other organ models, muscle models, blood vessel models, etc. not described above, such as a lung model simulating the outer shape of the human lung, a brain model simulating the outer shape of the human brain, and a lower limb model simulating the outer shape of the human lower limb. When the model 10 is configured to include a lung model, the movement of the lung model accompanying the breathing operation can be simulated by diverting the same configuration as the above-described diaphragm model 170 to the lung model. For example, the interiors of the heart models 110, 110C, and 110D may be divided into a plurality of spaces simulating the atria and ventricles. In this case, it is preferable that the spaces are interconnected such that the liquid supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank 420 fills each space.

[0062] [Modification Example 3] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, an example of the configuration of the pulsating unit 40 was shown. However, the configuration of the pulsating unit 40 can be variously modified. For example, the gas supply and suction device 410 may be manual instead of electric. For example, at least any one of the first opening 420a, the third opening 420b, and the second opening 420c of the gas-liquid separation tank 420 may be provided in the main body 421. For example, the gas supply and suction device 410 and the gas-liquid separation tank 420 may be configured as a single device.

[0063] [Modification Example 4] The configurations of the human body simulation devices 1 and 1D in the first to fifth embodiments and the configurations of the first to third modification examples may be combined as appropriate. For example, the gas-liquid separation tanks 420A and 420B described in either the second or third embodiment may be combined with the model 10C described in the fourth embodiment to form the human body simulation device 1.

[0064] As described above, this aspect has been explained based on the embodiments and modification examples. However, the embodiments of the above-described aspect are for facilitating the understanding of this aspect and do not limit this aspect. This aspect can be changed and improved without departing from its gist and the scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in this aspect. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1, 1D... Human body simulation device 10, 10C, 10D... Model 21... Water tank 22... Liquid 23... Filter 24... Pump 30... Control device 40... Pulsating part 41... First communication member 42... Communication member 50... Respiratory operation part 51... Second communication member 60... Pulse part 61... Third communication member 110, 110C, 110D... Heart model 111... Cardiovascular model 112... Coronary artery model 112L... Left coronary artery model 112R... Right coronary artery model 119... Balloon 160... Aorta model 170... Diaphragm model 410... Gas supply and suction device 411... Electric actuator 412…Air cylinder 420, 420A~420D…Gas-liquid separation tank 420a…First opening 420b…Third opening 420c…Second opening 420d…Fourth opening 421, 421C, 421D…Main body part 422, 422C, 422D…Upper housing 423…Lower housing 424…First connection part 425…Third connection part 426…Second connection part 427…Fourth connection part 4211, 4211B, 4211C, 4211D…Partition member 4212, 4212B…Through hole 4213, 4221, 4222, 4223, 4231…Through hole R…Internal space R1…First space R110…Liquid storage part R2…Second space

Claims

1. A human body simulation device, comprising: An organ model that simulates the outer shape of an organ and has a liquid storage part which is a space capable of storing liquid inside; A gas-liquid separation tank having an internal space for storing gas and liquid in a separated state; A gas supply and suction device for supplying gas to the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank or sucking the gas stored in the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank; and is provided with: The internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank and the liquid storage part of the organ model are connected by a communication member for circulating the liquid stored in the gas-liquid separation tank; When gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device to the gas-liquid separation tank, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank to the liquid storage part, whereby the organ model expands; When gas is sucked from the gas-liquid separation tank by the gas supply and suction device, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the sucked gas is sucked from the liquid storage part to the gas-liquid separation tank, whereby the organ model contracts; The gas-liquid separation tank: is provided with a partitioning member for partitioning the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank into a first space for storing gas and a second space located vertically below the first space and for storing liquid; has a first opening for communicating the first space with the outside and a second opening for communicating the second space with the outside; is connected to the gas supply and suction device via the first opening and is connected to the liquid storage part of the organ model via the second opening; The partitioning member has a first main surface facing the first space and a second main surface facing the second space; The partitioning member is further formed with a through hole penetrating the first main surface and the second main surface. A human body simulation device.

2. The human body simulation device according to claim 1, wherein: The partition member is a flat plate having the first main surface and the second main surface, a human body simulation device.

3. A human body simulation device, comprising: an organ model that simulates the outer shape of an organ and has a liquid storage portion that is a space capable of storing a liquid therein; a gas-liquid separation tank having an internal space for storing gas and liquid in a separated state; a gas supply and suction device that supplies gas to the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank or sucks the gas stored in the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank; a control device that controls the gas supply amount and supply time by the gas supply and suction device and the gas suction amount and suction time by the gas supply and suction device; and the internal space of the gas-liquid separation tank and the liquid storage portion of the organ model are connected by a communication member that circulates the liquid stored in the gas-liquid separation tank, when gas is supplied from the gas supply and suction device to the gas-liquid separation tank, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the supplied gas is supplied from the gas-liquid separation tank to the liquid storage portion, whereby the organ model expands, when gas is sucked from the gas-liquid separation tank by the gas supply and suction device, an amount of liquid corresponding to the amount of the sucked gas is sucked from the liquid storage portion to the gas-liquid separation tank, whereby the organ model contracts, the control device repeats an operation of causing the gas supply and suction device to supply a first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank over a first predetermined time and then causing the gas supply and suction device to suck a second predetermined amount of gas from the gas-liquid separation tank over a second predetermined time, when the gas supply to the gas-liquid separation tank by the gas supply and suction device is first performed after the control device is activated, the supply of the first predetermined amount of gas to the gas-liquid separation tank is performed over a third predetermined time that is longer than the first predetermined time, a human body simulation device.

4. The human body simulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the organ model is a heart model simulating the outer shape of the heart, and the gas supply and suction device and the gas-liquid separation tank function as a pulsation unit that simulates the pulsation of the heart model by expanding and contracting the heart model, the human body simulation device.

5. The human body simulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the organ model is a diaphragm model simulating the outer shape of the diaphragm, and the gas supply and suction device and the gas-liquid separation tank function as a respiratory motion unit that simulates the motion of the diaphragm model accompanying the respiratory motion by expanding and contracting the diaphragm model, the human body simulation device.

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