Advanced surgical simulation constructions and methods

• US 9,940,849 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2014
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Hart, Charles C., Bolanos, Eduardo, Chehayeb, Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): HONG, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US14/195,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20140248596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 434272
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• 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 simulation system is provided. The system includes at least one simulated body organ placed upon the base of an organ tray and at least one covering layer placed over the simulated body organ. At least one of the simulated body organ and covering layer includes electro-conductive gel that is operably severable under application of electrical current to simulate electrosurgery in a training environment. The training environment comprises a top cover connected to and spaced apart from a base to define an internal cavity that is partially obstructed from direct observation by a practitioner. The tray, simulated body organs and covering layer are placed inside the internal cavity for the practice of laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Claims

1. A surgical simulation system, comprising:

a tray having a base with a perimeter and one or more anatomical receptacle portion formed by at least one upstanding wall configured to substantially cooperate and conform in size and shape with one or more simulated body organ located within the one or more receptacle portion, wherein the one or more simulated body organ placed upon the base within the one or more receptacle portion; and

at least one covering layer placed over the one or more simulated body organ;

the covering layer being attached to the one or more simulated body organ in at least one location;

wherein at least one of the one or more simulated body organ and covering layer includes electro-conductive gel operably severable under application of electrical current to simulate electrosurgery in a training environment,

wherein the electro-conductive gel is a layer in the covering layer;

the electro-conductive gel layer being sandwiched between two outer layers of elastomeric material;

the two outer layers being not operably severably under application of electrical current for simulating electrosurgery,

wherein the two layers of non-conductive elastomeric material are configured to retain moisture in the electro-conductive gel layer that is located between the two layers of non-conductive elastomeric material.

2. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the covering layer is attached to the tray.

3. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the system includes two or more simulated body organs and the covering layer is placed over all of the simulated body organs located on the tray.

4. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the electro-conductive gel is located between two non-conductive areas.

5. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the electro-conductive gel defines a predetermined pathway between non-conductive regions;

the predetermined pathway being configured to simulate a pathway encountered in real surgery for practicing electrosurgical activity.

6. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the electro-conductive gel is in contact with an adjacent non-conductive area.

7. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the simulated body organs on the tray include simulated kidneys, ureters, aorta, vena cava and hepatic vessels and the covering layer covers all of the simulated body organs;

the covering layer being attached to at least a portion of the perimeter of the tray.

8. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the simulated body organs on the tray include a simulated transverse colon, stomach, a portion of the descending colon, a portion of the ascending colon, and a gallbladder;

and the covering layer covering all of the simulated body organs.

9. The surgical simulation system of claim 8 wherein the covering layer is attached to the simulated descending colon and to the simulated liver.

10. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the covering layer is approximately 0.010 to 0.05 inches thick.

11. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the covering layer is transparent or translucent.

12. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the covering layer is made of made of elastomeric material.

13. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one simulated body organ is made of elastomeric material.

14. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the training environment is a surgical training device including:

a base;

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

the internal cavity being at least partially obstructed from direct observation by a practitioner;

wherein the tray, simulated body organs and covering layer are placed inside the internal cavity.