Suturing Skill Simulator with Synchronized Sensor Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical simulators lack objective measures for assessing suturing skills, particularly for open surgery techniques, and often rely on subjective rating scales and animal or cadaver labs which lack performance metrics.

Innovation Solution

A suturing simulation system that includes a membrane housing with a suturing membrane, internal and external cameras, force/torque sensors, and motion sensors to collect and synchronize data, allowing for the calculation of objective metrics for assessing suturing skills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional apprenticeship-based surgical training is used, then surgical skills can be learned through hands-on experience, but objective performance metrics are lacking and evaluation remains highly subjective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjective performance metricsVSAvoidtraining system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human evaluation with automated sensor-based measurement systems. Force sensors, motion capture cameras, and computer vision algorithms objectively quantify surgical performance metrics such as suture tension, needle insertion force, and hand stability, eliminating the need for expert surgeon subjective assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-assessment and self-training for surgical residents through automated feedback mechanisms. The simulator provides real-time objective performance data and comparative analysis against expert benchmarks, allowing trainees to independently evaluate and improve their skills without constant expert supervision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If animal or cadaver labs are used for open surgery training, then realistic surgical practice can be achieved, but objective performance metrics are still lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealistic surgical practiceVSAvoidperformance metrics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a synthetic tissue membrane that copies the mechanical properties of real biological tissue. The membrane is instrumented with embedded sensors that replicate the tactile feedback of real tissue while enabling precise measurement of forces and deformations, providing both realism and objective metrics simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If subjective rating scales are used for surgical skill evaluation, then assessment can be performed without complex equipment, but precision and reproducibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation system simplicityVSAvoidskill assessment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human rating scales with automated sensor-based measurement systems. Force sensors, motion capture cameras, and computer vision algorithms objectively quantify surgical performance metrics such as suture tension, needle insertion force, and hand stability, eliminating the need for expert surgeon subjective assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If expert surgeons are used for training and evaluation, then high-quality mentorship can be provided, but expert surgeons are drawn away from clinical responsibilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvementorship qualityVSAvoidclinical responsibility capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where sensor data is processed to provide real-time performance evaluation and guidance. Computer vision algorithms analyze surgical technique and provide corrective feedback, replacing the need for continuous expert observation while maintaining high-quality training standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250140132A1Suturing skill simulator and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 CLEMSON UNIV RES FOUND

AI summary

Suturing simulation systems and related methods comprising a table, a membrane housing associated with the table, a suturing membrane attached to the membrane housing, an internal camera disposed within the membrane housing, and at least one sensor associated with the table, wherein the internal camera and the at least one sensor are configured to collect suturing data. Other systems and methods include a data collection software module configured to synchronize the suturing image data from the internal camera and the suturing sensor data from the at least one sensor, thereby resulting in synchronized suturing data, and further can include a data processing software module configured process and extract metrics from the synchronized suturing data.