Surgical Training Device Simulating Laparoscopic First Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for anatomically correct and realistic surgical training models that simulate the abdominal wall and surrounding tissues to effectively teach and practice laparoscopic first entry techniques.
Innovation Solution
A surgical training device featuring a penetrable simulated tissue structure with multiple layers that mimic the abdominal wall, connected to a receptacle with a mechanism to simulate the translation of tissue structures upon penetration, mimicking the insufflation of the abdominal cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Veress needle is used for first entry, then the procedure can be performed with a small incision, but the surgeon relies on feel and sound which makes it difficult to visualize tissue layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the internal abdominal structures through transparent or translucent tissue layers in the training model. This allows students to see through the abdominal wall layers (skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle, peritoneum) to visualize organs and vessels without requiring actual surgical incisions, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and difficulty of detection.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If optical entry with a laparoscope is used, then tissue layers can be visualized during penetration, but the procedure requires a larger incision and more complex instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visualization function from the complex optical entry system. Instead of requiring a laparoscope and complex trocar assembly to see tissue layers, the model provides direct visual access through transparent abdominal wall layers that can be viewed with simple magnifying glasses or the naked eye, thereby maintaining the ability to observe tissue layers while reducing device complexity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If direct trocar entry is used, then all abdominal wall layers can be observed during penetration, but the obturator must be pulled back or removed to introduce carbon dioxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the abdominal wall into multiple transparent layers (skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle, peritoneum) that can be individually observed. This segmentation allows students to systematically examine each layer's properties and relationships while maintaining a clear view throughout the procedure, resolving the contradiction between observation capability and operational ease.
4Manufacturing precision
If a training model is created with multiple anatomical layers, then anatomical accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each abdominal wall layer its specific anatomical properties (different colors, textures, thicknesses, and transparency levels) to accurately represent real tissue. The skin is colored differently from subcutaneous fat, which differs from muscle layers, allowing students to distinguish and identify each layer while maintaining overall structural integrity through a unified model design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a surgical training device for training laparoscopic first entry surgical techniques. The training device includes a simulated abdominal wall that is penetrable with an optical trocar. A receptacle containing a tissue simulation is located inside the receptacle. The tissue simulation is observable via scope placed inside the optical trocar. Upon penetration of the one or more of the simulated abdominal wall and receptacle, the tissue simulation appears to translate distally relative to the simulated abdominal wall. The distal translation is effected by a variety of ways including the release of negative pressure inside the receptacle upon penetration and the expansion of an elastic wall of the receptacle with the introduction of fluid under pressure into the receptacle.