Multi-Layered Silicone Tissue Phantom with Variable Shore Hardness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current synthetic tissue phantoms lack realism and efficiency in simulating human or animal tissues for medical training and device insertion, particularly in mimicking the sensory feedback of fat and muscle layers, and are often complex and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered structure comprising a skin layer with a Shore hardness of A8 or greater, a fat layer with a Shore hardness of OO50 or less, and a muscle layer with a Shore hardness of A0 to A15, all made from silicone rubber with varying amounts of oil and additives, providing improved sensory feedback and simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple types of rubber materials are used to create different tissue layers, then the realism and sensory feedback of the phantom is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the composition of a single rubber material type through varying oil content and additive concentrations to achieve different Shore hardness values for skin, fat, and muscle layers. This allows differentiation of tissue properties without changing the base rubber material, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining a single rubber base with different proportions of oils and additives to simulate various tissue properties. This approach achieves the effect of using multiple materials while actually working with one primary material system, simplifying the manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If multiple types of rubber materials are used to create different tissue layers, then the sensory feedback realism is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces production cost by changing the parameters of a single rubber material (oil content, additive concentration) rather than purchasing and processing multiple different rubber materials. This parameter adjustment approach maintains sensory feedback realism while simplifying material procurement and reducing overall production costs.
3Reliability
If varying amounts of oil are added to rubber material, then the sensory feedback and tissue-like properties are improved, but the material hardness control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically controls hardness by establishing specific oil content ranges for each tissue type (higher oil for fat layer, lower oil for skin layer). This methodical parameter control ensures that while varying oil content to achieve tissue-like properties, the hardness remains precisely controlled within defined ranges for each layer type.
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 multi-layered structure effectively simulates the sensory feedback of skin, fat, and muscle layers, enhancing training realism while reducing production complexity and cost by using a single type of silicone rubber with added oils for enhanced properties.
Implementation Method 1
The first layer has a Shore hardness that is greater than that of the second layer. In some further aspects of this embodiment, both the first and the second layers include an oil. In some aspects of this embodiments, the Shore hardness of the first layer is about A8 or greater and the Shore hardness of the second layer is about OO50 or less.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are synthetic tissue phantoms, which mimic the properties of real human or animal tissue, and methods of manufacturing the same.