Surgical Eye Model with Layered Tissue Planes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical models lack realistic simulation of tissue planes, which is crucial for mimicking human or animal tissue during surgical training, particularly in areas like the eye, skin, muscle, vascular structures, nerves, fat, and bone, limiting their effectiveness in simulating surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical eye model assembly is developed using a resilient material that can be cut with surgical tools, featuring a core member representing the sclera, muscular strands, a conjunctiva sheet, and additional layers to simulate various anatomical structures, with layers bonded to allow separation during simulated surgeries, and a method of constructing anatomical models by layering silicone materials with controlled bonding forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical models are used, then they are available and cost-effective, but they lack realistic tissue plane simulation
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical model is divided into multiple separate layers (epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat, muscle, bone) that can be individually constructed and then assembled. Each layer is made from appropriate materials with specific properties, allowing realistic tissue plane simulation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are used for each tissue layer to simulate their unique properties - silicone rubber for skin layers, foam for fat tissue, and rigid materials for bone. These composite materials provide realistic tactile feedback and cutting characteristics while maintaining structural integrity across the multi-layered model
2Reliability
If multi-layered synthetic tissues are created, then realistic tissue planes are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each tissue layer is constructed separately using appropriate materials and techniques, then assembled in the correct anatomical sequence. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for realism while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials and construction techniques are applied to different layers based on their specific anatomical requirements. For example, the epidermis uses thin silicone for realistic surface properties, while subcutaneous fat uses compressible foam to simulate cushioning characteristics, achieving local optimization across the multi-layered structure
3Strength
If layers are bonded together, then structural integrity is maintained, but separability for surgical simulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding between layers is designed with controlled strength parameters that allow the layers to remain attached during normal handling and transport, but can be cleanly separated when surgical incisions are made. This is achieved through selective adhesion techniques that create bonds strong enough for structural integrity but weak enough to separate along tissue planes during simulation
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 model provides a realistic and durable simulation of human anatomical structures, allowing for effective training with conventional surgical tools by replicating the properties and interactions of different tissue planes, enhancing the realism and safety of surgical simulations.
Implementation Method 1
the suspensions arms being coupled under tension to respective ones of the mounting locations on the rigid base frame such that the surgical body is resiliently suspended within the central recess so as to allow for translating movement of the surgical body along the central axis
Implementation Method 2
the face plate further comprises two diametrically opposed eyelid portions for overlapping respective portions of the front side of the surgical body which frictionally engage the surgical body and which pre-tension the suspension arms
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical eye model assembly for simulating eye surgery using surgical tools includes a spherical surgical body formed of material which can be readily cut using the surgical tools so as to be representative of an ocular globe. A plurality of suspension arms extend radially outward from the surgical body in proximity to the rear side at circumferentially spaced apart locations about the central axis to suspend the surgical body relative to the a rigid base frame. Elongate strands of resilient material are tensioned about the surgical body to represent muscular strands. A sheet of resilient material surrounds the body and strands to be representative of a conjunctiva layer. Lubricant is provided as a layer about the strands and between the sheet and the body. Resilient material can also form in loosely bonded layers to define additional structures surrounding the body to represent a lens, vascular structures, eyelids, etc.