Active colonoscopy training model and method of using the same

• US 9,990,862 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2012
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ohio University
• Original Assignee: Ohio University
• Inventors: Choi, Junghun
• Primary Examiner(s): Hull, James
• Application Number:
  US14/363,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20140349266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 434272
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/281 for pregnancy, birth or obstetrics G09B23/286 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/285 for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 for artificial respiration or heart massage
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/303 specially adapted to simulate circulation of bodily fluids
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/306 comprising real biological tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/32 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/34 with removable parts

Abstract

An active colonoscopy training model (10) and method of using the same with a colonoscope (60) includes an abdominal model (12), a colorectal tube (16) configured to replicate a human colon, and at least one sensor operably coupled to the colorectal tube (16). The abdominal model (12) comprises an outer body (14) having a hollow interior portion (22), and the colorectal tube (16) is operably coupled to the abdominal model (12) within the interior portion (22). The colorectal tube (16) is configured to receive the colonoscope (60), and the at least one sensor measures one or more of a tension, a force, a pressure, a light, and a position of the colonoscope (60) when the colonoscope (60) is positioned and advanced through the colorectal tube (16).

Claims

1. A colonoscopy training model comprising:

an abdominal model comprising an outer body having a hollow interior portion therein;

a colorectal tube operably coupled to the abdominal model within the interior portion of the outer body, the colorectal tube configured to replicate a human colon;

a pressure transducer operably coupled to the colorectal tube, and

a plurality of photocells, in communication with a data acquisition system via a sensor board, positioned within the colorectal tube and configured to detect a light emitted by the colonoscope;

wherein the colorectal tube is configured to receive a colonoscope and the pressure transducer is configured to measure an interstitial pressure within the colorectal tube when the colonoscope is positioned therein; and

a computer, in communication with said data acquisition system, configured to determine a position of the received colonoscope in the colorectal tube based on the detected light emitted by the colonoscope.

2. The colonoscopy training model of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of fixtures operatively connected between the colorectal tube and the abdominal model, the plurality of fixtures configured to secure the colorectal tube within the hollow interior portion; and

a plurality of load cells positioned along the colorectal tube respectively at an interface between the plurality of fixtures and the colorectal tube, the plurality of load cells configured to detect a tension applied to the colorectal tube by the colonoscope.

3. The colonoscopy training model of claim 1 further comprising:

a data acquisition system operably coupled to the pressure transducer and configured to receive a signal from the pressure transducer.

4. The colonoscopy training model of claim 3 further comprising:

a controller configured to control one or more of the data acquisition system and the pressure transducer.

5. The colonoscopy training model of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to display a graphical user interface.

6. A colonoscopy training model comprising:

an abdominal model comprising an outer body having a hollow interior portion therein;

a colorectal tube positioned within the interior portion of the outer body, the colorectal tube configured to replicate a human colon;

a plurality of fixtures operatively connected between the colorectal tube and the abdominal model, the plurality of fixtures configured to secure the colorectal tube within the hollow interior portion;

a plurality of photocells, in communication with a data acquisition system via a sensor board, positioned within the colorectal tube and configured to detect a light emitted by the colonoscope; and

a plurality of load cells positioned along the colorectal tube respectively each at one of a plurality of interfaces between the plurality of fixtures and the colorectal tube, wherein the colorectal tube is configured to receive a colonoscope and the plurality of load cells are configured to detect a tension applied to the colorectal tube by the colonoscope when the colonoscope is positioned therein; and

a computer, in communication with said data acquisition system, configured to determine a position of the received colonoscope in the colorectal tube based on the detected light emitted by the colonoscope.

7. The colonoscopy training model of claim 6 further comprising:

a data acquisition system operably coupled to the plurality of load cells and configured to receive a signal from the plurality of load cells.

8. The colonoscopy training model of claim 7 further comprising:

a controller configured to control one or more of the data acquisition system and the plurality of load cells.

9. The colonoscopy training model of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to display a graphical user interface.

10. A method of colonoscopy training using a colonoscopy training model comprising an abdominal model having an outer body, an anus unit positioned at one end of the outer body, a colorectal tube fixedly coupled to the anus unit and positioned within the outer body, an air pressure sensor comprising a pressure transducer operably coupled to the colorectal tube, a plurality of photocells within the colorectal tube, in communication with a sensor driver board and data acquisition system, and a computer, in communication with said sensor driver board and data acquisition system, the method comprising:

directing a colonoscope through the anus unit of the outer body;

advancing the colonoscope through the colorectal tube;

measuring, by the computer, an interstitial pressure within the colorectal tube with the pressure transducer;

monitoring, by the computer, the interstitial pressures activating at least one of the plurality of photocells when a light emitted by a distal end of the colonoscope is incident on the at least one of the plurality of photocells;

detecting, by at least one of the plurality of photocells, the light emitted by the colonoscope;

deactivating, by the computer, the at least one of the plurality of photocells when the light emitted by the distal end of the colonoscope is not incident on the at least one of the plurality of photocells; and

determining, by the computer, a position of the distal end of the colonoscope in the colorectal tube based on the activating and the deactivating.

11. The method of colonoscopy training of claim 10 further comprising:

inflating the colorectal tube.

12. The method of colonoscopy training of claim 10 wherein the colonoscopy training model further includes a plurality of fixtures and a plurality of load cells, the plurality of fixtures operatively connected between the colorectal tube and the abdominal model, the plurality of load cells positioned along the colorectal tube respectively at an interface between the plurality of fixtures and the colorectal tube, the method comprising:

measuring a tension by at least one of the plurality of load cells; and

determining a force applied by the colonoscope during a training session by the measured tension; and

monitoring the force applied by the colonoscope.

13. A method of colonoscopy training using a colonoscopy training model comprising an abdominal model having an outer body, an anus unit positioned at one end of the outer body, a colorectal tube fixedly coupled to the anus unit and positioned within the outer body, a plurality of fixtures operatively connected between the colorectal tube and the abdominal model, a plurality of load cells positioned along the colorectal tube respectively each at one of a plurality of interfaces between the plurality of fixtures and the colorectal tube, and a computer, in communication with a sensor driver board and data acquisition system, and a plurality of photocells within the colorectal tube in communication with said sensor driver board and data acquisition system, the method comprising:

directing a colonoscope through the anus unit of the outer body;

advancing the colonoscope through the colorectal tube;

measuring, by the computer, a tension by at least one of the plurality of load cells;

determining, by the computer, a force applied by the colonoscope during a training session by the measured tension;

monitoring, by the computer, the force applied by the colonoscope;

activating at least one of the plurality of photocells when a light emitted by a distal end of the colonoscope is incident on the at least one of the plurality of photocells;

detecting, by at least one of the plurality of photocells, the light emitted by the colonoscope;

deactivating, by the computer, the at least one of the plurality of photocells when the light emitted by the distal end of the colonoscope is not incident on the at least one of the plurality of photocells; and

determining, by the computer, a position of the distal end of the colonoscope in the colorectal tube based on the activating and the deactivating.