Suture Trainer

Abstract

To provide a suture trainer which provides a feeling of suturing a human body and prevents the trainer simulating human tissue, such as skin, from rupturing while suturing.SOLUTION: A suture trainer 1 comprising a simulated dermis layer 20 simulating dermis of the human body and a simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 simulating subcutaneous tissue of the human body is provided, the simulated dermis layer 20 comprising a first dermis layer 21 made of an elastic material, a first reinforcement layer 22 made of a material having higher tear strength than the first dermis layer, and a second dermis layer 23 made of the same elastic material as the first dermis layer 21. The simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 is made of an elastic material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suture trainer capable of training suturing of the human body.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a simulator for human tissues for training practical suturing, there is a suture trainer composed of a simulated dermis formed using silicone resin or urethane resin and a simulated subcutaneous tissue formed from a sponge material (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] <00OOO17>

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in such a suture trainer, since the simulated dermis is composed of a single layer of silicone resin or urethane resin and the simulated subcutaneous tissue is composed of a sponge material, there is a problem that the simulated dermis and the simulated subcutaneous tissue are torn during suturing or ligation, and suturing training cannot be efficiently performed.

[0005] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a suture trainer that has the feeling of suturing the human body and is difficult to tear a trainer that simulates human tissues such as the skin during suturing or ligation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above problems and can be realized as the following application examples. The reference numerals and supplementary explanations in parentheses in this section are provided to aid in understanding the present invention and correspond to the embodiments described later; they do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0007] [Application Example 1] The invention described in Application Example 1 is, A simulated dermal layer (20) that mimics the dermis of the human body, A simulated subcutaneous tissue layer (40) that mimics the subcutaneous tissue of the human body, A suture trainer (1) equipped with, The aforementioned simulated dermis layer (20) comprises a first dermis layer (21) formed of an elastic material, A first reinforcing layer (22) is formed of a material with higher tear strength than the first dermal layer (21), A second dermal layer (23) is formed of the same elastic material as the first dermal layer (21), Equipped with, The simulated subcutaneous tissue layer (40) is formed of an elastic material. And, Between the simulated dermis layer (20) and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer (40), there is a second reinforcing layer (30) made of a material with higher tear strength than the first dermis layer (21) and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer (40). This suture trainer (1) has the following main point:

[0008] In this type of suture trainer (1), the simulated dermis layer (20) has a three-layer structure, with a first dermis layer (21) and a second dermis layer (23) made of elastic material sandwiching a first reinforcing layer (22) made of a material with higher tear strength than the first dermis layer (21) and the second dermis layer (23).

[0009] This results in higher tear strength compared to a single layer of simulated dermis made of elastic material, preventing tearing of the simulated dermis during suturing or ligation, and enabling more efficient suturing training.

[0011] In this type of suture trainer (1), a first reinforcing layer (22) with higher tear strength is used as an intermediate layer to increase the strength of the simulated dermis layer (20). Similarly, by inserting a second reinforcing layer (30) made of a material with high tear strength between the simulated dermis layer (20) and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer (40), it is possible to prevent the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer (40) from tearing during suturing or ligation, thereby enabling efficient training in human suture techniques.

[0012] [Examples of application] 2 ] Application examples 2 The suture trainer (1) described above is In the suture trainer (1) described in Application Example 1, The gist of this is that the first reinforcing layer (22) has a mesh shape.

[0013] To increase the tear strength of the suture trainer (1), a first reinforcing layer (22) can be added to prevent tearing during suturing or ligation. However, depending on the material selected for the first reinforcing layer (22), it may become difficult for the needle to pass through, reducing the degree to which it simulates human skin and decreasing the effectiveness of suture training.

[0014] Therefore, by making the first reinforcing layer (22) mesh-shaped, it is possible to increase the strength of the suture trainer (1) without reducing the degree to which it simulates the dermis of the human body, while also serving as a reinforcing layer to prevent tearing and making it easier for the suture needle to pass through.

[0015] [Examples of application] 3 ] Application examples 3 The suture trainer (1) described above is Application examples 1 In the suture trainer (1) described above, The gist of this invention is that the first reinforcing layer (22) and the second reinforcing layer (30) are mesh in shape.

[0016] In such a suturing trainer (1), by forming the second reinforcing layer (30) added for preventing tearing during suturing or ligation into a mesh shape, tearing during suturing or ligation is prevented while realizing a realistic suturing resistance.

[0017] [Application Example 4 Application Example 4 The suturing trainer (1) described in the Application Examples 1 to Application Example 3 any one of Tsu is characterized in that, in the suturing trainer (1) described in a simulated epidermis layer (10) formed of a material having a higher hardness than the first dermis layer (21) is provided on a surface of the first dermis layer (21) opposite to a surface where the first reinforcing layer (22) of the first dermis layer (21) is in contact.

[0018] In such a suturing trainer (1), by providing a simulated epidermis layer (10) formed of a material having a higher hardness than the simulated dermis layer (20) on the surface of the simulated dermis layer (20), a structure closer to that of the human skin can be simulated, and suturing training can be more effectively carried out.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a suturing trainer. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view when the suturing trainer is mounted on a pedestal. [Figure 3] It is a schematic view when the suturing trainer is mounted on a mannequin.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be taken as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] The configuration of the suture trainer 1 will be described based on Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the suture trainer 1 in this embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the suture trainer 1 comprises a simulated epidermal layer 10, a simulated dermal layer 20, a second reinforcing layer 30, and a simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40. It is a sheet-like structure with a layered structure: the simulated epidermal layer 10 is below the simulated dermal layer 20, the second reinforcing layer 30 is below the simulated dermal layer 20, and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 is below the second reinforcing layer 30. The dimensions of the suture trainer 1 are approximately 150 mm (length) x 100 mm (width) x 15 mm (height).

[0023] The simulated epidermal layer 10 is made of polyurethane, has a thickness of 50 μm, and is transparent and milky white. By using polyurethane, it is possible to increase hardness while maintaining elasticity, and it is possible to simulate the stratum corneum of the human epidermis, which is hardened to prevent damage to the epidermis by the accumulation of keratin proteins.

[0024] The simulated dermis layer 20 comprises a first dermis layer 21, a first reinforcing layer 22, and a second dermis layer 23, and has a three-layer structure in which the first reinforcing layer 22 is sandwiched between the first dermis layer 21 and the second dermis layer 23.

[0025] The first dermal layer 21 and the second dermal layer 23 are made of elastic silicone, with a thickness of 1.8 mm and an opaque white color. The first reinforcing layer 22 is made of nylon with high tear strength, with a thickness of 1.8 mm and an opaque white color.

[0026] By sandwiching a first reinforcing layer 22 made of nylon with high tear strength between the first dermis layer 21 and the second dermis layer, the silicone used in the first dermis layer 21 and the second dermis layer 23 is prevented from tearing during suture training.

[0027] Furthermore, the presence of the first reinforcing layer 22, made of nylon with high tear strength, increases suture resistance, which differs from the suturing sensation of the human body. Therefore, the first reinforcing layer 22 is made in a mesh shape so that its presence does not affect suture resistance.

[0028] The second reinforcing layer 30, like the first reinforcing layer 22, is made of nylon, is formed in a mesh-like structure, and is sandwiched between the simulated dermis layer 20 and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40. The second reinforcing layer 30 has a thickness of 1.8 mm and is transparent and milky white in color.

[0029] The simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 is a layer that mainly simulates the subcutaneous fat of the human body, is made of elastic silicone, has a thickness of 10 mm, and is transparent yellow in color. Because the suture trainer 1 is equipped with a simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40, it is also suitable for training in buried sutures (dermal sutures).

[0030] Furthermore, by inserting simulated blood vessels that simulate blood vessels running through the subcutaneous tissue into this simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40, and flowing simulated blood through the simulated blood vessels, it is possible to perform training in suturing blood vessels that run through the subcutaneous tissue of the human body, as well as training in suturing without damaging blood vessels.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the suture trainer 1 when it is attached to the base. The suture trainer 1 is fixed on the base 50, and an incision 51 of a length and depth suitable for the purpose of suture training is made in the suture trainer 1, and suture training is performed.

[0032] The base 50 may simply be used to fix the suture trainer 1, but if the base 50 is made of materials that simulate muscles, tendons, etc., located beneath the skin layer of the human body, it is also possible to perform muscle and tendon suturing training through the simulated skin of the human body.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by installing the suture trainer 1 on a human body model 60 such as a mannequin, more realistic suture training can be conducted. In this case, by changing the hardness and thickness of each layer constituting the suture trainer 1 depending on the part of the human body model 60 on which the suture trainer 1 is installed, it becomes possible to conduct even more realistic suture training.

[0034] Specifically, to simulate the skin of the sole of the foot, the hardness and thickness of the simulated epidermal layer 10 can be increased to simulate the thick, firm skin of the sole of the foot. Conversely, to simulate the skin of the abdomen, the hardness and thickness of the simulated epidermal layer 10 can be reduced, while the thickness of the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 can be increased to simulate the thick subcutaneous fat of the abdominal skin.

[0035] Furthermore, by equipping the anatomical model 60 with simulated tissues of various human body parts (heart, liver, stomach, etc.), suturing training for any part of the human body can be conducted in a more realistic setting.

[0036] (Features of Suture Trainer 1) In this type of suture trainer 1, the simulated dermis layer 20 is made of a three-layer structure in which a layer made of nylon (first reinforcing layer 22), which has higher tear strength than silicone, is sandwiched between layers made of elastic silicone (first dermis layer 21, second dermis layer 23) that closely resembles the feel of human dermis. This prevents the silicone from tearing during suture training.

[0037] Furthermore, simply sandwiching a layer of nylon material with high tear strength (first reinforcement layer 22) between layers that mimic the dermis (first dermal layer 21, second dermal layer 23) results in a different suturing resistance. The nylon material offers greater suturing resistance than the silicone material that mimics the dermis, resulting in a sensation different from that of actual human dermis suturing.

[0038] Therefore, by making the first reinforcing layer 22 of nylon material into a mesh shape, the suture resistance is reduced to that of the silicone, which is similar to the dermis of the human body, and it is possible to prevent the silicone from tearing during suturing or ligation.

[0039] Furthermore, by providing a simulated epidermal layer 10 made of polyurethane, which has a higher hardness than silicone, and a simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 made of silicone, which is as elastic as the simulated dermal layer 20, on the surface of the simulated dermal layer 20, it becomes possible to simulate skin in any part of the human body by adjusting the hardness and thickness of the polyurethane and the thickness of the silicone, thereby enabling more effective and efficient suture training.

[0040] Furthermore, since each layer constituting the suture trainer 1 is made of transparent material, it is possible to visually confirm the trajectory of the suture needle passing through the skin (dermis), the state of the suture thread within the dermis, and the state of the tied knot, which would not be visible in real skin, making it easy to confirm the technique during suture training.

[0041] [Other embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the first reinforcing layer 22 and the second reinforcing layer 30 are in a mesh shape, but they may be in a flat plate shape instead of a mesh shape. Alternatively, the first reinforcing layer 22 may be in a mesh structure and the second reinforcing layer 30 may be in a flat plate shape, or the first reinforcing layer 22 may be in a flat plate shape and the second reinforcing layer 30 may be in a mesh shape.

[0042] (2) In the above embodiment, the simulated skin layer 10 is formed of transparent milky white polyurethane with a thickness of 50 μm, but the thickness and color are not limited to this and can be of various thicknesses and colors. In addition, synthetic rubber using silicone or nitrile, or natural rubber may be used as the material instead of polyurethane.

[0043] (3) In the above embodiment, the first dermal layer 21 and the second dermal layer 23 of the simulated dermal layer 20 are formed of milky white silicone with a thickness of 1.8 mm, but the thickness and color are not limited to this and can be varied. In addition, materials other than silicone may be used, such as synthetic rubber using urethane or nitrile, natural rubber, or water-soluble gel.

[0044] Furthermore, the first reinforcing layer 22 is 1.8 mm thick and made of transparent, milky white nylon, but the layer thickness and color are not limited to these, and a variety of thicknesses and colors can be used. The material is also not limited to nylon.

[0045] (4) In the above embodiment, the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 is formed of yellow silicone with a thickness of 10 mm, but the thickness and color are not limited to these, and a variety of thicknesses and colors can be used. In addition, materials other than silicone may be used, such as synthetic rubber using urethane or nitrile, natural rubber, or water-soluble gel.

[0046] (5) In the above embodiment, the suture trainer 1 is composed of a simulated epidermal layer 10, a simulated dermal layer 20, a second reinforcing layer 30, and a simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40. However, the simulated epidermal layer 10 may be omitted, and the trainer may be composed of only the simulated dermal layer 20, the second reinforcing layer 30, and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40.

[0047] Furthermore, the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 may be omitted, and the structure may consist only of the simulated epidermal layer 10 and the simulated dermal layer 20. In addition, the simulated epidermal layer 10 and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer 40 may be omitted, and only the simulated dermal layer 20 may be used.

[0048] In the above embodiment, each layer constituting the suture trainer 1 is made of a transparent material to facilitate the confirmation of the technique, but a translucent or opaque material may also be used. In this case, confirmation of the technique will be difficult, but this will not affect the suture training itself.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the suture trainer 1 simulates each layer that makes up the skin of the human body (epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue). However, by adding layers that simulate muscles, and even layers that simulate internal organs, the degree of human body simulation can be further improved.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the size of the suture trainer 1 is approximately 150 mm (length) x 100 mm (width) x 15 mm (height), but it may be larger or smaller. Furthermore, the shape can be anything other than rectangular, such as square, polygonal, or circular. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1…Suture trainer, 10…Simulated epidermal layer, 20…Simulated dermal layer, 21…First dermal layer, 22…First reinforcing layer, 23…Second dermal layer, 30…Second reinforcing layer, 40…Simulated subcutaneous tissue layer, 50…Base, 51…Incision, 60…Human anatomical model

Claims

1. A simulated dermis layer that mimics the dermis of the human body, A simulated subcutaneous tissue layer that mimics the subcutaneous tissue of the human body, A suture trainer equipped with, The aforementioned simulated dermal layer comprises a first dermal layer formed of an elastic material, A first reinforcing layer formed of a material with higher tear strength than the first dermal layer, A second dermal layer formed of the same elastic material as the first dermal layer, Equipped with, The aforementioned simulated subcutaneous tissue layer is formed of an elastic material. A suture trainer characterized by comprising a second reinforcing layer between the simulated dermis layer and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer, formed of a material with higher tear strength than the first dermis layer and the simulated subcutaneous tissue layer.

2. In the suture trainer according to claim 1, A suture trainer characterized in that the first reinforcing layer has a mesh shape.

3. In the suture trainer according to claim 1, A suture trainer characterized in that the first reinforcing layer and the second reinforcing layer are in a mesh shape.

4. In the suture trainer according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, A suture trainer characterized by having a simulated epidermal layer formed of a material with higher hardness than the first dermal layer on the surface opposite to the surface of the first dermal layer that is in contact with the first reinforcing layer.

Images