3D Kidney Phantom for Remote Partial Nephrectomy Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical training devices for laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy are either inconvenient, expensive, or involve complicated assembly and disassembly, lacking a realistic and interactive system for training surgeons.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional kidney phantom made of silicone rubber with anatomical anomalies, designed for varying surgical difficulty, combined with a laparoscopic training box and two-way communication for real-time feedback, allowing remote guidance and observation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional training methods (cadavers or pig kidneys) are used, then training realism is improved, but cost and availability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining realismVSAvoidcost and availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a silicone rubber phantom that copies the anatomical structure of a human kidney, including renal parenchyma, collecting system, and vasculature. This phantom provides a realistic training experience without requiring actual cadavers or animal organs, resolving the contradiction between training realism and cost/availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex assembly and disassembly features are added to the training device, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining flexibilityVSAvoidassembly simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The kidney phantom is divided into separable components including the renal parenchyma, collecting system with calyces and renal pelvis, and vasculature. These segmented components can be independently manipulated and reassembled, providing training flexibility while maintaining simple operation through intuitive piece-by-piece assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple anatomical anomalies are included in the phantom, then training versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining scenariosVSAvoidphantom structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phantom incorporates multiple anatomical anomalies including cysts, tumors, and calcifications at specific locations within the renal parenchyma and collecting system. Each anomaly has distinct local characteristics (different materials, densities, or structures) that provide diverse training scenarios while maintaining overall phantom structural simplicity through targeted local modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12579907B2Medical training device and method to use it in teaching laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 VITAGLIANO GONZALO JUAN

AI summary

The present application discloses and claims a kidney phantom consisting of a silicone rubber model featuring the anatomical shape of a human kidney, the renal artery, the renal vein, and a total of 11 tumors and 2 cysts. Each tumor is represented by a solid mass, while cysts are empty three-dimensional shapes. In order to accommodate the needs of both novice and advanced surgeons, tumors were designed with increasing surgical difficulty. The kidney phantom disclosed in the present application can be combined with a commercially available ensemble of laparoscopic tools to provide localized and remote training to surgeons and medical staff practicing laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy.