Anatomical Training Model With Hydrogel Tissue For Electrosurgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical training and testing methods lack anatomically correct models that are reusable, cost-effective, and safe for practicing electrosurgery, as they either lack anatomical shape or are biohazardous and expensive.
Innovation Solution
Development of anatomically correct surgical training models featuring artificial tissue within an organ frame that mimics human organs, allowing for multiple tasks, compatibility with electrosurgery, and reusability, using hydrogel materials like polyvinyl alcohol and gellan gum, along with an artificial blood assembly for simulating blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If artificial tissue slabs are used for surgical training, then they are easy to manufacture and reusable, but they lack anatomical shape and are not clinically relevant
Solution Approach 1:
The training model is divided into separate components: an organ frame structure and artificial tissue slabs. The frame provides the anatomical shape while the tissue slabs can be independently manufactured and replaced, resolving the contradiction between anatomical accuracy and manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
An organ frame acts as an intermediary structure that provides the anatomical shape, while the artificial tissue slabs are inserted into this frame. This mediator allows the system to achieve anatomical relevance without requiring the entire model to be manufactured as a single complex anatomical replica.
2Reliability
If ex-vivo tissue is used for surgical training, then it provides realistic tissue properties, but it is expensive, hard to preserve, biohazardous, and not reusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial tissue slabs that copy the essential physical properties of real tissue (compliance, bleeding characteristics) without using actual biological material. This copying approach maintains tissue realism while eliminating biohazard risks and preservation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial tissue uses hydrogel materials with adjustable parameters (compliance, porosity, bleeding rate) that can be tuned to match real tissue properties. This allows realistic tissue behavior without the harmful aspects of actual biological tissue.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional artificial tissue is used for training, then it is economical and reusable, but it is not compatible with electrosurgery and lacks clinical relevance
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial tissue uses a composite hydrogel material formulation that provides both mechanical properties similar to real tissue and electrical properties compatible with electrosurgery. This composite approach enables multi-functionality without significantly increasing material cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The models provide a clinically relevant, safe, and cost-effective means for practicing surgical tasks, including electrosurgery, while being environmentally friendly and reusable, enhancing training and testing efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The artificial tissue may be a hydrogel. In some aspects, the artificial tissue is formed from polyvinyl alcohol and gellan gum.
Data Source
AI summary
An anatomical model includes an artificial organ frame and an artificial tissue. The artificial organ frame includes a hollow body defining a cavity therein and includes windows defined through the hollow body. The artificial tissue is disposed within the cavity of the hollow body and is accessible through the windows of the hollow body. The hollow body of the artificial organ frame is shaped like a human organ and the artificial tissue has mechanical and electrical properties that mimic the human organ.