Gynecological simulator

• US 5,472,345 A
• Filed: 10/13/1993
• Issued: 12/05/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: gaumard scientific company, inc
• Original Assignee: gaumard scientific company, inc
• Inventors: Eggert, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/136,220
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 434/273, 434/272, 434/267, 434/262
• US Class Current: 434/273
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/281 for pregnancy, birth or obstetrics G09B23/286 takes precedence

Abstract

A gynecological simulator for training medical personnel in gynecological procedures includes a body simulating the torso of a human female having an internal cavity therein. A flexible vagina having a proximal end fixed to the body and a distal end extending inwardly into the cavity removably receives a securely retained cervix and a rotatable uterus by means of a locking ring and locking cap, respectively, both threadably engaged to a threaded pedestal secured to the cervix. Fallopian tubes, ovaries and round ligaments are provided removably attached to the uterus, and incisions are disposed in the skin encasing the simulator for enabling laparoscopy and minilaparotomy to be performed on the fallopian tubes.

Claims

1. A gynecological simulator, comprising:

a simulated human torso having an internal cavity therein;

a flexible simulated vagina having a proximal end fixed to said torso and a distal end extending inwardly into said cavity and having an opening therein;

a simulated cervix removably mounted in said opening and extending proximally within said vagina;

a simulated uterus removably and rotatably mounted to said cervix extending within said cavity; and

said uterus comprising a rotatable cap secured to a proximal end of said uterus for rotatably and removably mounting said proximal end of said uterus to said cervix thereby allowing said uterus to be rotated relative to said torso about an axis which is perpendicular to a transverse axis of said simulated torso;

a plurality of spaced slip fittings extending outward from said uterus and a plurality of flexible tubes removably attached to said slip fittings.

2. The gynecological simulator of claim 1 wherein said uterus has an internal chamber for receiving an IUD.

3. The gynecological simulator of claim 2 wherein said uterus comprises a transparent portion for viewing the contents of said chamber.

4. The gynecological simulator of claim 2 wherein said cervix has an internal bore aligned with said chamber of said uterus.

5. A gynecological simulator, comprising:

a simulated human torso having an internal cavity therein;

at least one flexible tube simulating a fallopian tube contained within said cavity; and

a flexible skin covering said cavity, said skin having a vaginal opening and at least one additional opening for receiving a medical device.

6. The gynecological simulator of claim 5 further comprising at least one simulated fimbria removably attached to the distal end of said fallopian tube.

7. The gynecological simulator of claim 5 further comprising at least one flexible tube simulating ovarian ligaments contained within said cavity and at least one simulated ovary removably attached to the distal end of said ovarian ligament.

8. The gynecological simulator of claim 5 further comprising at least one flexible tube simulating a round ligament contained within said cavity and removably attached at least one wall of said torso.

9. The gynecological simulator of claim 5 wherein said medical device comprises a laparoscope which engages said at least one opening and extends into said cavity to engage said flexible tube.

10. The gynecological simulator of claim 5 wherein said at least one additional opening receives a medical device to enable a user to perform one or more of stapling, cutting, lasing, viewing and ligating procedures.

13. The gynecological simulator of claim 8 wherein said pedestal is secured to said cervix, and said locking cap is rotatably secured to the proximal end of said uterus.

14. The gynecological simulator of claim 13 wherein said pedestal is inserted through said distal end of said vagina and extends into said cavity while said cervix extends within said vagina, said locking ring threadably engages said pedestal, thereby clamping a portion of said vagina between said locking ring and said cervix, thereby securely fixing said cervix to said distal end of said vagina.

15. The gynecological simulator of claim 14 wherein said locking cap threadably engages said pedestal, rotatably securing said uterus within said cavity.

16. The gynecological simulator of claim 15 wherein said bore of said cervix and said chamber of said uterus are coaxially aligned to form a continuous bore.

11. A gynecological simulator, comprising:

a simulated human torso having an internal cavity therein;

a flexible vagina having a proximal end fixed to said simulated torso and a distal end extending inwardly into said cavity and having an opening therein;

a cervix extending proximally within said vagina from said opening;

a uterus extending within said cavity from said opening;

means for removably connecting said cervix and said uterus to said vagina, said connecting means comprising a cylindrical threaded pedestal, a locking ring having internal threads for threading engagement with said threads of said pedestal, and a locking cap having an annular flange and an internally threaded bore also for threaded engagement with said threads of said pedestal; and

a stand mounted to a back of said torso for orienting said simulator in a plurality of examination positions and preventing said simulator from sliding.

12. The gynecological simulator of claim 11 wherein said uterus comprises a transparent top portion.

17. The gynecological simulator of claim 11 wherein said stand comprises a metal rod bent into a generally rectangular pattern having parallel upper and lower portions and parallel side portions, said upper and lower rod portions orienting said simulator in said proper examination position and preventing said simulator from sliding.

18. The gynecological simulator of claim 11 further comprising first and second elastomeric tubes sheathing said upper and lower portions of said rod, respectively, said sheathed upper portion of said rod acting as a handle and said sheathed lower portion of said rod acting as a foot.

19. A kit for practicing gynecological procedures, comprising:

means simulating the torso of a human female having an internal cavity therein;

a flexible vagina having a proximal end fixed to said simulating means and a distal end extending inwardly into said cavity;

a plurality of cervices capable of being removably mounted to said distal end of said vagina;

a plurality of uteri capable of being removably and rotatably mounted to said distal end of said vagina;

a plurality of flexible tubes representative of fallopian tubes capable of being removably attached to said uteri;

wherein each of said uteri comprises a rotatable cap secured to a proximal end of said uterus for rotatably and removably mounting said proximal end of said uterus to said distal end of said vagina, thereby allowing said uterus to be rotated relative to said torso about an axis which is perpendicular to a transverse axis of said simulated torso; and

a plurality of spaced slip fittings extending outwardly from said uteri and a plurality of flexible tubes removably attached to said slip fittings.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein some of said cervices contain indicia exhibiting abnormality or disease.

21. The kit of claim 19 wherein at least one of said uteri is a simulated pregnant uterus.

22. The kit of claim 19 wherein at least one of said uteri is a simulated postpartum uterus capable of being removably and rotatably mounted to said distal end of said vagina.

23. The kit of claim 19 wherein at least one of said uteri is anteverted and at least one of said uteri is retroverted.