Inanimate Laparoscopic Repair Model Using Disposable Anatomical Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical training models, particularly for laparoscopic procedures, are inadequate for providing realistic tactile experience for residents due to high costs and limited availability, leading to a gap in training for complex, low-volume cases, which can result in underprepared surgeons for actual OR scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An inanimate surgical simulation model featuring a simulated diaphragm with an esophagus, blood vessels, and a hernia, allowing for realistic practice of laparoscopic repair techniques, including textured and pigmented anatomical components to mimic patient anatomy, and the ability to simulate various surgical positions and complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive laparoscopic trainers are used for surgical training, then training realism and tactile experience are improved, but cost and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the diaphragm anatomy using inexpensive materials like foam board, fabric, and plastic bottles. This copying approach captures the essential tactile and structural features needed for training without replicating the full complexity and cost of commercial trainers, thereby resolving the contradiction between training realism and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The model uses disposable, inexpensive materials that can be easily replaced. The diaphragm is constructed from foam board and fabric, with hernia sacs made from plastic bottles, creating a low-cost training model that can be discarded or reset between uses, eliminating the need for expensive durable equipment.
2Productivity
If observation-only training is used for low-volume laparoscopic cases, then resource allocation is improved, but surgical skill development deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The model enables residents to independently practice laparoscopic repair techniques without requiring supervising surgeons to demonstrate procedures. The self-contained diaphragm model with hernia sacs allows trainees to autonomously develop skills through repeated practice, resolving the contradiction between resource allocation and skill development.
3Ease of manufacture
If simplified training models are used, then cost and accessibility are improved, but training fidelity and realism deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The model applies different materials with specific properties to different regions: foam board for the diaphragm structure, fabric for muscular texture, plastic bottles for hernia sacs, and rubber tubing for blood vessels. This local differentiation of material qualities maintains training fidelity while keeping overall construction simple and inexpensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The model uses color-coded materials to represent different anatomical structures: red fabric for muscle tissue, blue rubber tubing for blood vessels, and clear plastic for hernia sacs. These color changes enhance visual realism and help trainees distinguish between different anatomical features without requiring expensive coloring processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An inanimate model for surgical simulation and methods for making and using the model are provided. The model includes a simulated diaphragm, a simulated esophagus extending through an esophageal opening in the diaphragm, a simulated blood vessel extending through a blood vessel opening in the diaphragm, and a simulated hernia in the diaphragm.