Elastomer Mesh for Soft Body Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical simulation systems lack realistic tactile feedback when manipulating tools within anatomical models, particularly in simulating the resistance and friction of soft body tissues, which is essential for training surgeons without causing damage and requiring frequent replacement of parts.
Innovation Solution
A mesh layer formed by interlinked elastomer strands with widths between 1 mm to 10 mm, providing multiple gaps for tool insertion and manipulation, mimicking side-to-side motion resistance and friction, and a soft body simulation layer with flexible elements for enhanced realism and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid anatomical model is used to simulate soft body tissues, then the structural integrity and durability are improved, but the tactile realism and friction feedback are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mesh layer constructed from flexible elastomer strands that simulate the tactile properties of soft body tissues. This flexible mesh structure provides realistic friction feedback and deformation characteristics when tools are manipulated within the anatomical model, while the overall solid construction maintains durability and structural integrity for repeated use in surgical training scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a mesh layer with interlinked elastomer strands is used, then the tactile feedback realism is improved, but the manufacturing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh layer is segmented into individual elastomer strands that are interlinked to form a flexible network. This segmentation allows each strand to independently deform and provide tactile feedback, while the modular strand-based construction simplifies manufacturing compared to creating a fully continuous flexible material. The strands can be produced separately and then assembled into the mesh structure.
3Ease of operation
If the anatomical model allows free tool movement, then the ease of manipulation is improved, but the simulation accuracy of tissue resistance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer strands in the mesh layer are designed with specific physical parameters including strand diameter of 1-10 mm, strand spacing, and material elasticity that collectively simulate the resistance properties of real soft body tissues. These parameter choices allow tools to be manipulated with reasonable ease while simultaneously providing accurate tactile feedback about tissue resistance and friction forces during surgical procedures.
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 solution enhances realism and durability, allowing for thousands of manipulations without part replacement, providing a cost-effective and sustainable training experience that closely mimics the tactile feedback of real anatomical tissues.
Implementation Method 1
A mesh layer formed of at least two elastomer strands, each strand having a width in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, the strands being interlinked
Data Source
AI summary
Anatomy mannequins, models and medical simulation systems may facilitate training by rendering a realistic tactile feedback when the end user manipulates the anatomy model with a handheld tool. An anatomy model may comprise various inexpensive material arrangements to replicate the side-to-side motion friction and resistance against the insertion and manipulation of a surgical instrument in a living body soft body tissue, such as muscle or ligament layers, while ensuring sustainability of the corresponding simulator parts over at least thousands of training sessions. A mesh layer may be arranged as an interlinked mesh of elastomer strands. A soft body layer may also be arranged as a grid of flexible protruding elements. The instrument may be inserted and manipulated through the crossings of the interlinked elastomer strands and/or the recesses or channels between the flexible protruding elements to provide a tactile feedback similar to that of real surgery tool handheld manipulation.