Modular Surgical Training Model With Interchangeable Anatomy Cassettes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical training models are costly, wasteful, and lack versatility, as they are typically large, heavy, and disposable, limiting accessibility and increasing environmental impact, with no existing solutions for interchangeable parts simulating different anatomies or pathologies on the same model.
Innovation Solution
A surgical training model comprising removable spacer cassettes that can be replaced with anatomy cassettes to simulate various anatomies or pathologies, allowing for customizable and reusable 3D printed replicas of limbs or joints, enabling cost reduction and increased accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If 3D printed surgical training models are used to simulate anatomy and pathology, then training effectiveness and anatomical accuracy are improved, but production cost and device weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical training model is divided into multiple separate cassettes, each representing a different anatomical structure or pathology. These cassettes can be individually 3D printed with high anatomical accuracy and then assembled together, distributing the weight and complexity across multiple lightweight components rather than creating one large heavy model.
Solution Approach 2:
The base model structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different anatomy and pathology cassettes. This allows a single base model to serve multiple training purposes by simply swapping cassettes, eliminating the need to produce multiple separate heavy models for different anatomical scenarios.
2Manufacturing precision
If large anatomically correct 3D models are produced for surgical training, then training realism is improved, but storage cost and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the model into reusable base structures and replaceable anatomy/pathology cassettes, the same base model and supporting structures can be used repeatedly with different instructional cassettes. This dramatically reduces material waste compared to producing entire new models for each training scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables recovery and reuse of the base model and non-anatomy components across multiple training sessions and different anatomical scenarios. Only the specific anatomy/pathology cassettes need to be replaced or recovered, maximizing material utilization and minimizing waste.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom pathology models are manufactured for each training scenario, then training specificity is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A universal base model design serves multiple training scenarios by accommodating different pathology cassettes. This eliminates the need to manufacture entirely new models for each training scenario, dramatically improving production speed while maintaining training specificity through cassette customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The base model is pre-manufactured with standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms for pathology cassettes. This preliminary preparation enables rapid assembly and swapping of custom pathology models during training scenarios, avoiding time-consuming custom manufacturing for each specific case.
4Ease of operation
If disposable surgical training models are used, then ease of operation is improved, but cost and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The model is segmented into disposable/single-use anatomy cassettes and reusable base structures. This allows the simple, easy-to-use advantage of disposable models while recovering and reusing the expensive base components, improving both accessibility and sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective discarding of only the anatomy/pathology cassettes after use, while recovering and reusing the base model and supporting structures. This maintains the operational simplicity of disposable models while achieving the cost-effectiveness and reusability of permanent models.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical training model is provided comprising a plurality of removable spacer cassettes that when arranged together simulate a limb or joint. Each spacer cassette is removable and replaceable with an anatomy cassette that simulates an anatomy and or pathology in the limb or joint.