Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures

• US 10,121,391 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2013
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Breslin, Tracy, Poulsen, Nikolai, Palermo, Michael, Hoke, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Evan
• Application Number:
  US14/038,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20140087348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,867 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/285 for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence

Abstract

A surgical training device is provided. The training device includes a practice model comprising a base with a plurality of eyelets connected to the outer surface of the base. The plurality of eyelets defines at least one predetermined pathway for practicing the passing of at least one needle and suture through the eyelets of the predetermined pathway. Various eyelets are described including angled, flexible, deflectable, interchangeable, retractable, rotatable and ones having apertures of various shapes and sizes. The predetermined pathway is marked with markings on the outer surface of base or with color-coded eyelets. Suture pathways define anatomical pathways as well as differing skill levels. The model provides a platform for practicing hand-to-hand transfer and depth perception among other skills required in laparoscopic procedures.

Claims

1. A surgical training device, comprising:

a base;

a top cover spaced apart from the base to define an internal cavity between the top cover and the base;

at least one aperture or a penetrable region for accessing the internal cavity;

a laparoscopic camera disposed inside the cavity and configured to display video images on a video monitor connected to the camera and located outside of the cavity;

a model removably disposed inside the cavity such that the model is substantially obscured from a user yet observable via the laparoscopic camera displaying video images of the model on the video monitor;

the model comprising a base having an outer surface and a plurality of eyelets connected to the base;

wherein the plurality of eyelets are configured along the outer surface to define a pathway for practicing the passing of at least one needle and suture through one or more of the plurality of eyelets of the pathway;

wherein at least one eyelet of the plurality of eyelets is retractable and spring biased with respect to the outer surface.

2. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the eyelets are spaced above the outer surface of the base.

3. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the eyelets include a neck portion and a head portion;

the head portion defining an aperture sized and configured for the passage of a needle and suture and the neck portion being configured to connect to the base.

4. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the neck portion is angled with respect to the head portion.

5. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the eyelets is interchangeable.

6. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the eyelets is angled with respect to the base.

7. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the eyelets is rotatable with respect to the base.

8. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the pathway is a predetermined pathway defined by eyelets having the same color.

9. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the pathway is a predetermined pathway defined by markings on the outer surface of the base.

10. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the base is concave or convex.

11. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the base is curved.

12. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the eyelets are deflectable by contact with a suture needle.

13. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the base is pliable such that force exerted on an eyelet flexes the outer surface of the base.

14. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the pathway is predetermined to define a suture pathway shape encountered in real surgery.

15. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the pathway is predetermined to define a suture pathway shape associated with a human organ.

16. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the pathway is predetermined to define a predetermined skill level for passing sutures laparoscopically.

25. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the at least one eyelet is biased in the retracted position such that force is required to pull the eyelet above the outer surface.

17. A surgical training device comprising:

a base having an outer surface; and

a plurality of eyelets connected to the base;

each eyelet having a head portion at a distal end connected to a neck portion;

the neck portion is connected to the base at a proximal end of the eyelet;

the head portion having an aperture defining an aperture plane having a first side and a second side;

wherein the plurality of eyelets are configured with respect to the base such that at least one aperture plane is angled with respect to at least one other aperture plane of the plurality of eyelets;

wherein at least a subset of the plurality of eyelets defines a pathway with apertures that are sized for passing a suture and suture needle;

wherein at least one eyelet is retractable with respect to the outer surface such that the retractable eyelet has a first position in which the aperture is at a first distance relative to the outer surface and a second position in which the aperture is at a second distance relative to the outer surface;

wherein the second distance is greater above the outer surface than the first distance and the at least one eyelet is spring biased towards the first position.

18. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein the pathway is a predetermined pathway marked by a line drawn on the outer surface of the base.

19. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein the pathway is a predetermined pathway comprising a subset of eyelets having the same color.

20. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein the at least one aperture plane rotates with respect to at least one other aperture plane of the plurality of eyelets.

21. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein at least one aperture of the plurality of eyelets is covered with silicone.

22. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein the pathway is a predetermined pathway that approximates a suture pathway encountered in laparoscopic surgery.

23. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein the first position is characterized by the aperture of the retractable eyelet being at least partially beneath the outer surface.

24. The surgical training device of claim 17 wherein the at least one eyelet is biased towards the first position such that the at least one eyelet has a tendency to spring back toward the first position.