Anatomical Phantom with Hollow Branches via Balloon Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anatomically correct body part models lack the ability to simulate the feel and internal structures of human or animal organs, making them inadequate for surgical and diagnostic training, as they are typically made from rigid materials and do not accurately represent the internal cavities or tissue properties.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing anatomically correct phantoms with tissue-like properties and hollow branches that mimic internal structures, using a combination of medical imaging data, 3D printing, and materials with varying properties to create phantoms that replicate the outer and inner shapes of organs, allowing for realistic surgical and diagnostic training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If anatomically correct body part models are made from rigid plastic materials, then the outer shape can be anatomically correct, but the internal structures cannot be formed as hollow spaces and the material properties do not resemble real organs
Solution Approach 1:
The model is divided into multiple components: an outer shell formed from medical imaging data and inner hollow structures formed separately using balloons. These segments are then combined to create the complete anatomical model with both accurate outer shape and internal cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon structures are placed inside the outer shell during the molding process. The balloons serve as internal forms that define the hollow spaces, with the outer shell material molded around them. After curing, the balloons are removed to leave the desired internal cavities.
2Device complexity
If training aids are made with cavities formed by balloons, then internal hollow structures can be created, but the outer shape does not achieve high anatomical correctness
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell is first formed using precise medical imaging data (CT, MRI, or ultrasound) to create an anatomically accurate template. Then the balloon structures are positioned within this pre-formed shell to define the internal cavities, ensuring both outer and inner anatomical correctness.
3Ease of manufacture
If the elastic modulus of the material used to make phantoms differs from that of the real organ, then the phantom can be made with suitable material properties, but the surgeon cannot obtain a correct feel of the organ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses silicone rubber as the base material and incorporates fillers such as glass beads, metal particles, or organic matter to adjust the elastic modulus. By varying the type and amount of fillers, the material properties can be tuned to match the haptic characteristics of real organs while maintaining manufacturability.
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 method enables the creation of phantoms with high anatomical correctness and realistic material properties, enhancing training by providing a more accurate simulation of surgical procedures and diagnostic practices, while being cost-effective and time-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
the step of removing the first structure from the phantom is carried out by the application of at least one of heat, the use of a solvent and due to difference in reactivity between the first material and the material of the phantom
Implementation Method 2
the step of removing the first structure from the phantom is carried out by the application of at least one of heat, the use of a solvent and due to difference in reactivity between the first material and the material of the phantom
Implementation Method 3
the step of removing the first structure from the phantom is carried out by the application of at least one of heat, the use of a solvent and due to difference in reactivity between the first material and the material of the phantom
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of producing a phantom resembling a human or animal organ or tissue, the phantom comprising at least one first region having at least one tissue like property and at least one cavity having a plurality of hollow branches connected thereto, with at least some of the plurality of hollow branches being formed such that they project into the first region having tissue like properties. The invention further relates to a method of making the first structure and to a corresponding phantom.