Procedure Simulator for Catheter Training via Segmented Venous Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of educational tools for catheter procedures, particularly for rare diseases, which limits inexperienced doctors' opportunities to gain experience and understand treatment techniques for these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A procedure simulator is developed, featuring a first flow path simulating the vena cava and a second flow path simulating a second venous system, including a cavity for a lesion site, a shunt portion for communication between the paths, and simulated side branches with varying cross-sectional areas, allowing liquid to flow at different pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a procedure simulator is developed to train doctors for catheter procedures, then the opportunity for inexperienced doctors to gain experience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator is divided into separate flow path members (first flow path member for vena cava, second flow path member for second venous system) that can be independently constructed and assembled. Each member contains specific simulated structures (lesion sites, shunt portions, side branches) that can be independently designed and manufactured, reducing overall complexity while maintaining educational value.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulator creates a simplified copy of the human venous system with key features (lesion sites, shunt portions, side branches) represented in reduced scale. This allows complex anatomical structures to be replicated without requiring full-scale human anatomy, making the simulator more manageable and easier to manufacture while still providing realistic training scenarios.
2Reliability
If the second flow path is designed with higher pressure to simulate rare disease conditions, then the realism of the simulation is improved, but the difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator allows adjustment of pressure parameters in the second flow path to match different disease states. By changing pressure parameters, the system can simulate various rare disease conditions (such as portal hypertension with pressures exceeding 10 mmHg) while providing controlled learning scenarios. The pressure differential between flow paths can be adjusted to create realistic flow patterns without overwhelming the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulator incorporates visual feedback mechanisms (such as contrast medium visualization) that allow users to observe the effects of their actions in real-time. This feedback helps users understand the consequences of their procedures under high-pressure conditions, making the operation more manageable by providing immediate information about the simulation state and allowing for corrective actions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple simulated side branches with varying cross-sectional areas are included, then the educational value for treating rare diseases is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second flow path member is segmented into multiple independent side branches with different cross-sectional areas, each representing different anatomical structures or disease states. This segmentation allows the simulator to present diverse treatment scenarios (occlusion of different sized vessels, selective angiography) within a single integrated structure, enhancing educational value without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulated side branches serve multiple functions: they can be used for visualizing blood flow patterns, practicing occlusion procedures, studying collateral circulation, and examining the effects of pressure differentials. By designing the side branches with varying cross-sectional areas, the simulator provides universal training capabilities for multiple rare disease conditions and procedural variations, maximizing educational utility from a single structural element.
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 simulator effectively promotes understanding of rare diseases like aneurysms and provides opportunities for doctors to practice treatment techniques, enhancing their skills and confidence in handling such cases.
Implementation Method 1
liquid flows through the second flow path at a pressure higher than a pressure of the first flow path
Implementation Method 2
one or a plurality of simulated side branches that are independent of the shunt portion and communicate the cavity and the first flow path with a flow path cross-sectional area narrower than a flow path cross-sectional area of the shunt portion
Data Source
AI summary
A procedure simulator for training a procedure using a balloon catheter includes a first flow path simulating a vena cava of a human body; and a second flow path simulating a second venous system of the human body independent of the vena cava. The first flow path and the second flow path are connected via a cavity simulating a lesion site of the human body, a shunt portion, and a plurality of simulated side branches.