Mannan-Based Simulated Organ with Thermochromic Microcapsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological models used for surgical training, especially those made of synthetic resins, can produce toxic substances and offensive odors when cauterized, and the material melts under high-frequency knives, making it difficult to accurately simulate thermal diffusion during cauterization, while also posing environmental hazards due to disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A simulated animal organ is produced by mixing mannan with a temperature-dependent allochroic agent in microcapsule form and water, gelatinizing the mixture, and forming it into a fiber or mesh structure, allowing for accurate visualization of heat effects and safe disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a synthetic resin is used to make a biological model, then the model can be manufactured with good durability and shape retention, but the material melts when cauterized with a high-frequency knife, making it difficult to accurately simulate thermal diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic resin to mannan (a natural polysaccharide), which fundamentally alters the thermal response characteristics. Mannan does not melt like synthetic resin but instead undergoes controlled thermal changes that accurately simulate biological tissue thermal diffusion, resolving the contradiction between shape retention and thermal simulation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating an allochroic agent (microcapsule containing temperature-sensitive dye) into the mannan matrix. This composite allows the model to simultaneously achieve structural integrity from the mannan and visual thermal feedback from the allochroic agent, solving both the shape retention and thermal diffusion visualization problems.
2Ease of manufacture
If a microcapsule pigment is contained in a synthetic resin to visualize cauterized sites, then color change can indicate thermal effects, but toxic substances and offensive odors are produced during cauterization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mannan, a natural polysaccharide that is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, replacing persistent synthetic resins. The model is designed as a disposable training tool that can be safely discarded after use, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals and reducing environmental harm while maintaining the visual feedback function through the allochroic agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the base material from synthetic resin to mannan, which fundamentally alters the chemical composition and eliminates the production of toxic substances and offensive odors during cauterization, while still allowing color change visualization through the incorporated allochroic agent.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If synthetic resin is used for the biological model, then the model can be reused multiple times, but the material itself is melted by the high-frequency knife, making it difficult to utilize color change for thermal diffusion visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to mannan, which does not melt like synthetic resin but instead provides controlled thermal response. This allows the model to be reused while maintaining accurate thermal diffusion visualization through the allochroic agent's color change, as the mannan structure remains intact and does not interfere with thermal propagation.
4Strength
If chemical constituent materials such as silicone resin and polymer resin are used for simulated animal organs, then the organs can be manufactured with good structural integrity, but the environment is harmfully affected during disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable model designed from mannan, a biodegradable natural polysaccharide. The model is intended for single-use in training and then safely discarded, eliminating the need for complex disposal processes and reducing environmental harm compared to persistent synthetic materials, while still providing sufficient structural integrity for training purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining mannan with the allochroic agent. This composite provides the necessary structural integrity for training while the mannan base material ensures environmental friendliness and biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and environmental harm.
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 allows for precise visualization of thermal effects during training, mimicking actual organ behavior, while being environmentally friendly and inexpensive, with enhanced tensile strength and reduced water leakage, enabling effective surgical technique practice without harming the environment.
Implementation Method 1
an allochroic agent in the form of a microcapsule that changes its color in a temperature-dependent manner
Implementation Method 2
performing gelatinization, and shaping a gelatinized mixture to obtain a shaped body
Implementation Method 3
a freezing step of freezing the shaped body to form a fiber structure or a mesh structure
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for producing a simulated animal organ. The method includes a shaping step of mixing mannan as a main component, an allochroic agent in the form of a microcapsule that changes its color in a temperature-dependent manner, and water, performing gelatinization, and shaping a gelatinized mixture to obtain a shaped body; and wherein the shaped body is frozen to create a fiber structure or a mesh structure. This method enables the allochroic agent to be supported by the fiber structure or the mesh structure and provides a simulated animal organ that allows a user to evaluate the effect of heating by the extent of color change and is in a state extremely similar to an actual animal organ.