Hydrogel Liquid Precursor for Surgical Training Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogel models for surgical practice are too soft and lack the complexity and true-to-life elasticity of internal organs, making them inadequate for precise surgical training and simulation.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel liquid precursor is developed, incorporating an inorganic mineral and a monomer, with the inorganic mineral content at 15% or more by mass, and a phosphonic acid compound, which enhances the modulus of elasticity and storage stability, allowing for the creation of hydrogel modeling objects with varying elasticity levels suitable for complex internal organ models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hydrogel is used to create soft models close to real internal organs, then the softness and touch are improved, but the elasticity and structural complexity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining hydrogel base material with inorganic minerals (such as silica, alumina, or titania particles) to create a hydrogel liquid precursor. This composite approach allows the model to simultaneously achieve softness comparable to real internal organs and enhanced elasticity and structural complexity, resolving the contradiction between softness and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the viscosity of the hydrogel liquid precursor through temperature-dependent behavior. The hydrogel is designed to have specific viscosity characteristics at different temperatures, allowing it to maintain structural integrity while achieving the desired softness and elasticity properties in the final molded object.
2Strength
If inorganic mineral content is increased to improve elasticity, then the modulus of elasticity is enhanced, but the viscosity and flowability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing the hydrogel liquid precursor with temperature-dependent viscosity characteristics. The hydrogel maintains low viscosity at higher temperatures for easy flowability during manufacturing, while achieving enhanced elasticity at lower temperatures or after gelation, thus resolving the contradiction between elasticity and flowability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by incorporating phosphonic acid compounds as mediators between the inorganic minerals and the hydrogel matrix. This intermediary substance allows the inorganic minerals to enhance elasticity without excessively increasing viscosity, as the phosphonic acid compound facilitates uniform distribution and integration of mineral particles into the hydrogel structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hydrogel is left at high temperature for extended period to stabilize viscosity, then the storage stability is improved, but the initial viscosity control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-stabilizing the hydrogel liquid precursor through controlled heating before use. The hydrogel is heated to a specific temperature range (e.g., 37°C to 42°C) for a predetermined period before manufacturing, which preliminary stabilizes the viscosity and ensures consistent flowability during the actual manufacturing process, thus resolving the contradiction between storage stability and viscosity control.
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 hydrogel modeling objects exhibit improved elasticity and stability, closely replicating the feel and structure of real internal organs, enabling precise surgical simulation and training by allowing for areas with high and low modulus of elasticity, thus providing a more realistic and effective training tool.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrogel liquid precursor is developed, incorporating an inorganic mineral and a monomer, with the inorganic mineral content at 15% or more by mass, and a phosphonic acid compound, which enhances the modulus of elasticity and storage stability
Implementation Method 2
A specific example of the hydrogel contains water in the three-dimensional network structure formed by compounding a laminate mineral and a polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogel liquid precursor includes an inorganic mineral and a monomer, wherein the inorganic mineral accounts for 15 percent by mass or more of the hydrogel liquid precursor, wherein the hydrogel liquid precursor has an initial viscosity of 20 mPa·s or less at 25 degrees C., and wherein the hydrogel liquid precursor has a ratio of a two-week viscosity to the initial viscosity of from 0.90 to 1.10, the two-week viscosity representing a viscosity of the hydrogel liquid precursor at 25 degrees C. after being left at 50 degrees C. for two weeks.