Wrist Arthroscopy Simulator With Expanded Midcarpal Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of affordable and effective simulators for training surgeons in wrist arthroscopy techniques, which are crucial for mastering arthroscopy skills and ensuring patient safety, as current simulators are costly and do not adequately transfer the mechanical feedback and visual rendering of the wrist joint.
Innovation Solution
A wrist arthroscopy simulator (SAP) is designed with anatomically accurate, detachable and transportable components, including bones, ligaments, and tendons, with increased joint spaces to enhance mechanical feedback and visual fidelity, using 3D printing technology to replicate the wrist's anatomy, allowing for a realistic arthroscopy experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual arthroscopy simulators are used for training, then training effectiveness and visual rendering are improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical copy of the wrist joint anatomy using 3D printing technology. The simulator replicates the actual anatomical structures (carpal bones, ligaments, tendons, skin) as a tangible model that surgeons can manipulate, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive virtual reality systems while maintaining anatomical accuracy for training purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the wrist model by increasing the mid-carpal space by 100% or more compared to the actual anatomical structure. This parameter change allows for better instrument manipulation and visualisation during training, improving training effectiveness while keeping the model physically manageable and affordable
2Ease of operation
If the mid-carpal space is increased by 100% or more, then instrument manipulation and visualisation are improved, but the size of the simulator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wrist joint simulator into detachable components, including separate carpal bones that can be removed and repositioned. This segmentation allows the mid-carpal space to be increased for better instrument manipulation while the individual bone components can be stored compactly when not in use, effectively managing the simulator's footprint
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable bone components are used, then transportability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist joint is divided into separate anatomical components (carpal bones, ligaments, tendons, skin layers) that can be detached for compact storage and transport. Each component is designed with simple connection interfaces that reduce assembly complexity despite the modular design, allowing trainees to assemble the model themselves
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wrist arthroscopy simulator (WAS) (10) of a considered physiological model, said WAAS comprising the following synthetic elements: the bones of the hand and wrist, a distal portion of the radius (8) and a distal portion of the ulna (9), at least a portion of the ligaments of the hand and at least a portion of the ligaments of the wrist, at least a portion of the tendons (17) of the hand and at least a portion of the tendons (17) of the wrist, and the skin (11) of the hand and at least a portion of the skin (11) of the wrist. The midcarpal space (13) of the WAAS is increased by at least 100% in distance compared to the considered physiological model.