Technique simulator

A technique simulator for training a user to introduce a medical device into a radial artery of a human body. The technique simulator includes an arm model possessing an appearance that imitates portions of a human arm including at least a wrist and a simulated human subcutaneous region arranged in a storage groove formed in the wrist of the arm model. The technique simulator also includes a simulated human radial styloid process arranged in a bone arranging hole formed in the simulated human subcutaneous region and a simulated human skin that covers a simulated human blood vessel. The simulated human blood vessel is configured to be inserted in the simulated human subcutaneous region and the simulated human radial styloid process.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a technique simulator for training a user how to introduce a medical device into a radial artery of a human body.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

In recent years, trans-radial coronary intervention (TRI) has been performed to examine and treat a lesioned part of a coronary artery. TRI involves introducing a catheter through a radial artery in a wrist of a human body and leading the catheter to the lesioned part of the coronary artery. Such trans-radial coronary intervention is minimally invasive, compared with introducing the catheter through a femoral artery. Therefore, the burden on patients, the risk of disease complication, and the like can be reduced.

The radial artery, however, is relatively narrow, and thus it is not easy to puncture the radial artery with a penetration needle such as a vascular access device. Therefore, development of a simulator for training a user how to perform a technique to puncture the radial artery with the penetration needle is desired.

In relation to such a technique simulator, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-317570 A discloses a training model for an injection into the radial artery. This injection training model is configured such that a simulated blood vessel (in which simulated blood circulates) is arranged in a wrist of an artificial arm. The simulated blood vessel is covered with a simulated human tissue cover.

SUMMARY

When puncturing the radial artery with the penetration needle, there is a procedure where a user (medical operator) searches for the position of a radial styloid process near the skin of the wrist by touching the wrist of the patient (subject) and punctures the radial artery with the penetration needle using the radial styloid process as an indication of the location of the radial artery.

In the conventional technology like JP 2006-317570 A above, however, no member corresponding to the radial styloid process exists near the skin of the wrist of the artificial arm (arm model). The injection to the radial artery thus cannot be performed using the radial styloid process as an indication of the location of the radial artery. Therefore, a technique to puncture a radial artery of a human body with a penetration needle of an injector or the like may not be able to be efficiently learned.

The technique simulator disclosed here has been made in view of the aforementioned problem. The technique simulator provides a simulation experience approximating an actual technique performed on a human body. The technique simulator allows a user to efficiently learn a technique to puncture a radial artery with a penetration needle.

A technique simulator for training a user to introduce a medical device into a radial artery of a human body includes an arm model formed to imitate appearance of portions including at least a wrist of a human arm; a simulated human subcutaneous region arranged in a storage groove formed in the wrist of the arm model; a simulated human radial styloid process arranged in a bone arranging hole formed in the simulated human subcutaneous region; and a simulated human skin that covers a simulated human blood vessel to be arranged in the simulated human subcutaneous region and the simulated human radial styloid process.

The technique simulator disclosed here has the simulated human radial styloid process arranged near the simulated human skin positioned in the wrist of the arm model. Therefore, a user can search for the position of the simulated human radial styloid process by touching the simulated human skin of the wrist of the arm model and can puncture the simulated human blood vessel with a penetration needle using the simulated human radial styloid process as an indication of the location of the radial artery. Therefore, the user can experience a simulation that approximates an actual technique on a human body to efficiently learn the technique to puncture the radial artery with the penetration needle.

A blood vessel arranging groove in which the simulated human blood vessel is arranged may be formed in the simulated human radial styloid process in the technique simulator disclosed here.

According to this configuration, the simulated human radial styloid process and the simulated human blood vessel can be held in a predetermined positional relationship.

In the technique simulator disclosed here, the simulated human radial styloid process may be arranged in the bone arranging hole such that a part of the simulated human radial styloid process protrudes on a side of the simulated human skin with respect to the simulated human subcutaneous region.

According to this configuration, the user can reliably grasp the position of the simulated human radial styloid process by touching the simulated human skin provided in the wrist of the arm model.

The simulated human subcutaneous region in the technique simulator may be configured from a softer material than the arm model.

According to this configuration, the user can favorably learn a technique of so-called wall-penetration puncture to stick the penetration needle to penetrate a posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel up to the simulated human subcutaneous region. The tip end of the penetration needle is then indwelled in the simulated human blood vessel. The user (operator) can also learn a technique of so-called anterior wall puncture to indwell the tip end of the penetration needle in the simulated human blood vessel without sticking the penetration needle through the posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel.

The technique simulator may have the simulated human blood vessel positioned to a side of a groove bottom surface of the storage groove as the simulated human blood vessel goes from the wrist to a forearm side of the arm model.

According to this configuration, the user's search for the simulated human blood vessel can be made more difficult, as the simulated human blood vessel goes from the wrist to the forearm side of the arm model (as the simulated human blood vessel is away from the simulated human radial styloid process). Accordingly, the user can experience a simulation that approximates an actual technique to be used on a human body.

At least a part of surface where the simulated human blood vessel is arranged in the simulated human subcutaneous region may be inclined to the side of the groove bottom surface of the storage groove along a direction from the wrist to the forearm of the arm model.

According to this configuration, the simulated human blood vessel can be positioned to the groove bottom surface side as the simulated human blood vessel goes from the wrist to the forearm side of the arm model.

In the above-described technique simulator, a discharge hole through which simulated human blood in the simulated human blood vessel passes may be formed in the groove bottom surface that configures the storage groove, and a tray that receives the simulated human blood led through the discharge hole may be further included.

According to the configuration, for example, the simulated human blood leaking out through the simulated human blood vessel when the simulated human blood vessel is punctured with the penetration needle can be received by the tray. Therefore, the technique simulator can be easily restored to/maintained in a clean state.

The tray may be detachably provided in the arm model of the technique simulator.

This allows the tray in which the simulated human blood is accumulated to be taken out of the arm model. Therefore, the tray can be easily restored to a clean state, and the simulated human blood can be easily disposed or re-used.

An inner hole of one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel may be blocked in the technique simulator, and the technique simulator may include pressure providing means that provides pressure to the simulated human blood in the simulated human blood vessel.

According to the configuration, the simulated human blood vessel can beat (i.e., pulsate or throb) under the action of the pressure providing means. Therefore, the user can experience a simulation that further approximates an actual technique performed on a human body. Additionally, when the inner hole of the one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel is blocked, the configuration can be simplified and pulsation can be easily caused in the simulated human blood vessel compared with when the simulated human blood vessel is a circulation circuit (i.e., the inner hole of the one end portion is not blocked).

According to the technique simulator disclosed here, the human radial styloid process substitute is arranged near the human skin substitute positioned in the wrist of the arm model. Therefore, the user can experience a simulation that approximates an actual technique performed on a human body. The technique simulator thus allows the user (operator) to efficiently learn a technique to puncture the radial artery with the penetration needle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A technique simulator and method of using a technique simulator according to the described aspects of the present disclosure will be described in detail below, with reference to the embodiments in the attached drawings. These embodiments represent examples of the inventive technique simulator and method of using the technique simulator disclosed here. In the below description, “inner side” refers to the side of the hand where the palm is located and “outer side” refers to the back of the hand (the side opposite to the palm).

The embodiment of the technique simulator10illustrated inFIGS. 1-3is used to mainly train users how to introduce a medical device into a radial artery of a human body. For example, the technique simulator10is used to train a technique of trans-radial coronary intervention.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, the technique simulator10includes a support table12and an arm model14placed on the support table12. A simulated human subcutaneous region18is arranged in a storage groove16formed in the arm model14. The technique simulator also includes a simulated human radial styloid process20and a simulated human blood vessel22provided in the simulated human subcutaneous region18. A simulated human skin24covers the simulated human blood vessel22. There is also a simulated human blood supply section28that supplies simulated human blood26to the simulated human blood vessel22.

The support table12supports the arm model14in a predetermined posture. The support table12includes a support table main body30that supports the arm model14from below and a pair of side walls32that extend upwards from the support table12to prevent dropping of the arm model14placed on the support table main body30.

The arm model14is formed to imitate the appearance of a portion of a human arm from the forearm through the fingertips. Note that the arm model14may imitate the portion of the human arm spanning from the finger tips to an upper arm region. In the present embodiment, the arm model14is formed to imitate appearance of a human right arm as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. However, the arm model14may be formed to imitate appearance of a human left arm.

The wrist of the arm model14is flexed in a dorsal direction by a predetermined angle (for example, 15°). Accordingly, the arm model14can approximate a form of the human arm so that a user may practice puncturing the radial artery of the human body with a vascular access device100. The configuration material of the arm model14is not especially limited. However, for example, a resin material such as urethane or elastomer can be favorably used.

The arm model14is provided with an attaching hole34that opens toward a base end side (i.e., the side opposite the fingertip side) and a cover portion36that blocks the opening portion of the attaching hole34. The cover portion36is integrally provided with a tray38that is arranged in the attaching hole34and receives the simulated human blood26when the simulated human blood26leaks out through the simulated human blood vessel22. The cover portion36has an insertion through hole40into which the simulated human blood vessel22is inserted. The cover portion36and the tray38can be made from a resin material such as urethane or elastomer, for example, similarly to the arm model14.

A storage groove16extending from the wrist toward the forearm is formed in an inner surface (palm-side surface) of the arm model14. The storage groove16includes a wide deep groove42positioned at a tip end side (i.e., the fingertip side) and a narrow shallow groove44positioned at the base end side (i.e., opposite the fingertip side). A positioning hole46that positions the simulated human subcutaneous region18is formed in a groove bottom surface of the deep groove42. The groove bottom surface of the deep groove42also has a discharge hole48that is positioned above the tray38and allows the deep groove42to communicate with the attaching hole34. In the present embodiment, the discharge hole48is positioned in the base end (i.e., the side opposite the fingertip side) of the groove bottom surface of the deep groove42.

An arranging hole50in which one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22is arranged is formed in a groove side surface that configures the deep groove42and positioned at the fingertip end side. The arranging hole50extends to the fingertip end side of the arm model14in an approximately horizontal manner, and then extends toward an outer surface side of the arm model14(the back side of the hand). Accordingly, the arranging hole50can easily hold the one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22. The shallow groove44is a groove in which a part of the simulated human blood vessel22is arranged. An opening portion of the shallow groove's44base end side (i.e., the side opposite to the fingertip side) faces the insertion through hole40of the cover portion36.

The simulated human subcutaneous region18is a human subcutaneous region substitute that imitates a human subcutaneous region. The simulated human subcutaneous region18is formed in a block manner. To be specific, the simulated human subcutaneous region18is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The simulated human subcutaneous region18includes a positioning protruding portion52that is fit into the positioning hole46. The entire length of the simulated human subcutaneous region18is set to be shorter than the entire length of the deep groove42. The base end surface of the simulated human subcutaneous region18(i.e., the surface on the side of the human subcutaneous region18that is opposite of the fingertip side) is positioned at the fingertip end side of the discharge hole48in a state where the positioning protruding portion52is fit in the positioning hole46(seeFIG. 1).

Accordingly, flow to the discharge hole48can be prevented from being blocked by the simulated human subcutaneous region18. In the present embodiment, a fingertip end surface and both side surfaces of the simulated human subcutaneous region18are in contact with groove side surfaces that configure the deep groove42when the positioning protruding portion52is fit in (i.e., is seated in or is within) the positioning hole46.

A surface (back surface or top surface as shown inFIG. 2) opposite to the side where the positioning protruding portion52is positioned of the simulated human subcutaneous region18includes a horizontal plane56in which a bone arranging hole54is formed. The bone arranging hole54is hole in which the simulated human radial styloid process20may be inserted. The simulated human subcutaneous region18also has an inclined surface58inclined towards the positioning protruding portion52side (the groove bottom surface side of the deep groove42) and towards the base end side of the simulated human subcutaneous region18.

The bone arranging hole54is positioned in the wrist of the arm model14when the positioning protruding portion52is fit in the positioning hole46. A support groove60extends throughout the entire length of the inclined surface58in the center of the inclined surface58in a width direction. The simulated human blood vessel22is configured to be inserted in the support groove60.

The simulated human subcutaneous region18is favorably configured from a soft resin material having a hardness that is puncturable by the vascular access device100. In other words, the simulated human subcutaneous region18is configured from a softer resin material than the configuration material of the arm model14. Silicone rubber is an example of a material that can form the simulated human subcutaneous region18. In this case, Durometer hardness (type C) of silicone rubber favorably falls within a range of 12 to 34, and more favorably 23. If the hardness falls within the range of 12 to 34, pulsation of the simulated human blood vessel22can be efficiently transmitted to the simulated human skin24, and wall-penetration puncture to penetrate a posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel22and stick the vascular access device100up to the simulated human subcutaneous region18can be favorably performed.

The simulated human radial styloid process20is a human body radial styloid process substitute that imitates a human radial styloid process. The simulated human radial styloid process20is formed in a block manner. A blood vessel arranging groove62in which the simulated human blood vessel22can be positioned is formed in the simulated human radial styloid process20. The simulated human radial styloid process20protrudes on the simulated human skin24side with respect to the horizontal plane56of the simulated human subcutaneous region18when the simulated human radial styloid process20is arranged in the bone arranging hole54(i.e., the simulated human radial styloid process20protrudes toward the palm side/inner side beyond the horizontal plane56of the simulated human subcutaneous region18when the simulated human radial styloid process20is in the bone arranging hole54).

In the present embodiment, the simulated human radial styloid process20protrudes on the simulated human skin24side by approximately the same dimension (i.e., amount) as an outer diameter of the simulated human blood vessel22when the simulated human radial styloid process20is arranged in the bone arranging hole54. In other words, the simulated human radial styloid process20protrudes relative to the horizontal plane56of the simulated human subcutaneous region18by about the same amount as the outer diameter of the simulated human blood vessel22when the simulated human radial styloid process20is arranged in the bone arranging hole54. Accordingly, the user can easily search for the position of the simulated human radial styloid process20by touching the simulated human skin24.

The configuration material of the simulated human radial styloid process20is not especially limited. However, for example, a photo-curing resin such as an epoxy-acrylic mixed resin can be favorably used.

The simulated human blood vessel22is a human blood vessel substitute that imitates a human radial artery. The simulated human blood vessel22is formed in a tube manner. An inner hole of one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22is blocked with a blocking member64. The inner hole of the one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22may be blocked by deforming the one end portion without using the blocking member64. The inner hole of the one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22is blocked so that the pulsation can be more easily caused in the simulated human blood vessel22than when the simulated human blood vessel22is a circulation circuit (i.e., without blocking the one end portion).

The simulated human blood vessel22is opened when the simulated human blood vessel22is punctured with the vascular access device100. The simulated human blood vessel22is thus replaced with a new simulated human blood vessel22every time or every several number of times of the simulation (i.e., after one use or after several uses/punctures). Further, to support individual differences in the outer diameter (thickness) of the radial artery of the human body, a plurality of types of simulated human blood vessel22with different outer diameters are prepared. Accordingly, the simulated human blood vessel22with an optimum outer diameter can be selected according to the proficiency of the technique of the user, and the user can experience simulation further approximating an actual technique with a human body.

The material used for the simulated human blood vessel22is not especially limited. However, for example, natural rubber can be favorably used. When the simulated human blood vessel22is made from natural rubber and the simulated human skin24is made from an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), it is favorable to coat, with silicone, at least a portion of the simulated human blood vessel22to prevent swelling of the simulated human blood vessel22. Specifically, it is favorable to coat the portion that is in contact with the simulated human skin24.

The simulated human skin24is a human skin substitute that imitates a human skin. The simulated human skin24includes a skin main body66and a skin cover68. The skin main body66has a shape corresponding to the deep groove42in the plan view. A blood vessel arranging groove70(in which the simulated human blood vessel22is arranged) and a bone arranging hole72(in which the simulated human radial styloid process20is arranged) are formed in a surface of the skin main body66that faces the simulated human subcutaneous region18. The material of the simulated human skin24may be an EVA resin such as synthetic rubber, for example.

The skin cover68is configured in a sheet manner and is arranged to cover the skin main body66. The skin cover68is provided with a locking member74such as a hook and loop fastener that holds the skin cover68in a state where the skin cover68is wound around the wrist of the arm model14.

The configuration material of the skin cover68is not especially limited. However, for example, silicone rubber is favorably used. When the skin cover68is silicone rubber, the tear propagation strength is desirably 30 N/mm or more. This tear propagation strength allows tearing off of the skin cover68to be favorably suppressed from a puncture hole when the skin cover68is punctured with the vascular access device100.

The simulated human blood supply section28includes a three-way stopcock (passage switching means)76to which the other end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22is connected (i.e., the portion opposite the fingertip side). A syringe78(pressure providing means) is also connected to the three-way stopcock76, and the syringe78provides pressure to the simulated human blood26in the simulated human blood vessel22. Finally, a blood storage section82is connected to the three-way stopcock76through an introduction tube80. The blood storage section82stores the simulated human blood26. The introduction tube80is provided with a clamp (passage opening/closing means)81that opens/closes a passage of the introduction tube80.

As the simulated human blood26, a mixture of a saline solution and an arbitrary coloring agent (coloring) can be used. As the coloring agent, a red coloring agent such as red food coloring can be favorably used.

The technique simulator10according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, a method of training a user how to introduce a medical device into a radial artery of a human body using the technique simulator10will be described. Here, training for a technique to introduce a sheath108into a radial artery will be described.

First, the technique simulator10is prepared. To be specific, the simulated human subcutaneous region18and the simulated human radial styloid process20are set to (i.e., installed in or inserted into) the arm model14. Specifically, the positioning protruding portion52of the simulated human subcutaneous region18is fit into the positioning hole46formed in the groove bottom surface of the deep groove42, and the simulated human radial styloid process20is arranged in the bone arranging hole54of the simulated human subcutaneous region18.

Then, the simulated human blood vessel22in which the simulated human blood26is primed in advance is set to (i.e., installed in or inserted into) the arm model14. Specifically, the one end portion (blocking member64) of the simulated human blood vessel22is arranged in the arranging hole50of the arm model14, and the simulated human blood vessel22is placed in the blood vessel arranging groove62of the simulated human radial styloid process20, the support groove60of the simulated human subcutaneous region18, and the groove bottom surface of the shallow groove44. Note that the simulated human blood vessel22with an outer diameter suitable for the intended type of training is selected from the plurality of types of simulated human blood vessels22with different outer diameters.

Next, the simulated human skin24is set to (i.e., installed on) the arm model14. To be specific, the skin main body66is arranged in the deep groove42to cover the simulated human radial styloid process20and the simulated human blood vessel22. The skin cover68is locked in a state of being wound around the wrist of the arm model14to cover the skin main body66.

The cover portion36is then set to (installed in or inserted into) the arm model14. To be specific, the other end side (i.e., the side opposite of the fingertip side) of the simulated human blood vessel22is passed/moved through the insertion through hole40of the cover portion36. The tray38is inserted into the attaching hole34of the arm model14. The cover portion36is attached to the arm model14so that the opening portion of the attaching hole34at the base end side (i.e., the side opposite to the fingertip side) is blocked with the cover portion36. The other end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22(i.e., the portion on the side opposite to the fingertip side) is attached to the three-way stopcock76.

When the preparation of the technique simulator10is completed, an instructor (a person who assists the person who is trained) operates the syringe78to provide (increase/decrease) the pressure of the simulated human blood26in the simulated human blood vessel22. Accordingly, the simulated human blood vessel22beats.

Next, the user (i.e., the operator who is being trained) touches the skin cover68and searches for the position of the simulated human radial styloid process20. Then, the user determines the position of the beating simulated human blood vessel22near the simulated human radial styloid process20using the simulated human radial styloid process20as an indication (i.e., the user determines the position of the beating simulated human blood vessel22by touching/applying pressure to the simulated human radial styloid process20, which indicates the position of the simulated human blood vessel22). The user then punctures the simulated human blood vessel22with the vascular access device100(seeFIG. 4A). To be specific, the user sticks the vascular access device100through the posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel22up to the simulated human subcutaneous region18.

When this puncturing occurs, the simulated human blood26leaks through the simulated human blood vessel22. The leaking simulated human blood26moves along the inclined surface58of the simulated human subcutaneous region18to be led to the discharge hole48and then to be stored in the tray38. This configuration prevents the simulated human blood26that leaks from the simulated human blood vessel22from flowing out of the arm model14and from being diffused in the arm model14.

Even if the simulated human blood26leaks through the simulated human blood vessel22, the simulated human blood26stored in the syringe78supplements the simulated human blood26in the simulated human blood vessel22. Therefore, the simulated human blood26in the simulated human blood vessel22cannot become insufficient (i.e., a sufficient amount of simulated human blood26is provided).

The user (i.e., the operator being trained) next removes an inner needle102of the vascular access device100, and slowly pulls an outer needle104out in a slightly laying down manner (i.e., in a manner that reduces the angle of the outer needle104relative to the simulated human blood vessel22), so that a tip end of the outer needle104is positioned inside the simulated human blood vessel22. Note that, in puncturing the simulated human blood vessel22with the vascular access device100, the tip end of the vascular access device100may be positioned within the simulated human blood vessel22without penetrating the posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel22.

Next, a guide wire (mini guide wire)106is inserted into the simulated human blood vessel22through a bore of the outer needle104of the vascular access device100(seeFIG. 4B). The outer needle104of the vascular access device100is then removed while the guide wire106remains in the simulated human blood vessel22. A sheath108and a dilator110are then introduced in combination into the simulated human blood vessel22along the guide wire106. The sheath108and the dilator110are primed in advance in heparin-added sterilized saline solution (seeFIG. 5A).

Next, the dilator110and the guide wire106are removed from the sheath108, so that only the sheath108is indwelled in the simulated human blood vessel22(seeFIG. 5B).

Following that, a hemostasis band (not illustrated) for radial artery is wound around the wrist of the arm model14and hemostasis is performed by the user (i.e., the operator being trained). When the hemostasis with the hemostasis band is completed, the tray38is taken out of the arm model14, and the simulated human blood26in the tray38is disposed or collected in the blood storage section82. The simulated human blood26leaking in the deep groove42is also wiped off. At this time, if an absorber such as cloth or paper that absorbs the simulated human blood26is arranged in the tray38, the simulated human blood26in the tray38can be more easily disposed.

According to the present embodiment, the user can experience simulation of a plurality of techniques (puncture of the radial artery with the vascular access device100, introduction of the guide wire106into the radial artery, introduction of the sheath108into the radial artery, and pressure hemostasis with the hemostasis band) while feeling pulsation of the simulated human blood vessel22.

The simulated human radial styloid process20is arranged near the simulated human skin24positioned in the wrist of the arm model14which allows the user (i.e., the operator being trained) to search for the position of the simulated human radial styloid process20by touching the skin cover68of the wrist of the arm model14, and thus use the simulated human radial styloid process20as an indication of the location of the simulated human blood vessel22to accurately puncture the simulated human blood vessel22with the vascular access device (penetration needle)100. Therefore, the user can experience a simulation that approximates an actual technique with a human body, and can efficiently learn the technique to puncture the radial artery with the vascular access device100.

According to the present embodiment, the simulated human blood vessel22is arranged in the blood vessel arranging groove62formed in the simulated human radial styloid process20. Therefore, the simulated human radial styloid process20and the simulated human blood vessel22can be held/maintained in a predetermined positional relationship.

A part of the simulated human radial styloid process20protrudes on the simulated human skin24side with respect to the horizontal plane56of the simulated human subcutaneous region18. Therefore, the user can reliably grasp the position of the simulated human radial styloid process20by touching the skin cover68.

The simulated human subcutaneous region18may be made from a softer material than the arm model14. Therefore, the technique of wall-penetration puncture to stick the vascular access device100to penetrate the posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel22up to the simulated human subcutaneous region18, and then to indwell the vascular access device100in the simulated human blood vessel22, can be favorably (i.e., more easily) learned. A technique of anterior wall puncture to indwell the tip end of the vascular access device100in the simulated human blood vessel22without sticking the vascular access device100to the posterior wall of the simulated human blood vessel22can also be learned.

In the present embodiment, the inclined surface58inclined towards the groove bottom surface side of the deep groove42is formed in at least a part of the surface where the simulated human blood vessel22is arranged in the simulated human subcutaneous region18along the direction from the wrist to the forearm of the arm model14. Therefore, a simple configuration allows the simulated human blood vessel22to be positioned to incline towards the groove bottom surface side as the simulated human blood vessel goes from the wrist to the forearm of the arm model14.

The simulated human blood vessel22can thus be less easily searched for (i.e., searching for the simulated human blood vessel22is more difficult) in the inclined region as the simulated human blood vessel goes from the wrist to the forearm side of the arm model14(as the simulated human blood vessel22is farther away from the simulated human radial styloid process20). Therefore, the user can experience a simulation that further approximates an actual technique with a human body.

According to the present embodiment, the simulated human blood26leaking out through the simulated human blood vessel22in puncturing the simulated human blood vessel22with the vascular access device100can be received by the tray38. Therefore, the technique simulator10can be easily restored to a clean state.

Further, the tray38is detachably provided in the arm model14. Therefore, the tray38in which the simulated human blood26accumulates can be taken out of the arm model14and can be easily restored to a clean state, and the simulated human blood26can be easily disposed or re-used.

Further, the simulated human blood vessel22can beat (i.e., pulsate or pulse) under the action of the syringe78. Therefore, the user can experience a simulation that further approximates an actual technique on a human body. Blocking the inner hole of the one end portion of the simulated human blood vessel22simplifies the configuration so that the pulsation can be easily caused in the simulated human blood vessel22, compared with a case where the simulated human blood vessel22is a circulation circuit (i.e., the simulated human blood26circulates through the simulated human blood vessel22).

The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the technique simulator10may include a simulated human blood vessel22ainstead of the simulated human blood vessel22described above. The other end side (i.e., the side opposite to the fingertip end side) of this simulated human blood vessel22abranches to two passages. The three-way stopcock76is connected to an end portion of one branch passage84, and a blocking member88is provided in an end portion of the other branch passage86. The one branch passage84corresponds to ulnar artery of the human body and the other branch passage86corresponds to branchial artery of the human body. These branch passages84and86are desirably made from a transparent material.

When using the technique simulator10ofFIG. 6, for example, the user can also favorably experience a technique to insert a guide wire112into the simulated human blood vessel22athrough the sheath108to lead the guide wire112to the other branch passage86, thereby to insert the guide wire112into the radial artery of the human body through the sheath108indwelled in the radial artery to the brachial artery. When the branch passages84and86are made from a transparent material, the user can easily confirm whether the guide wire112can be correctly led to the other branch passage86.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the pressure providing means, an electrically-driven air pump or blower may be used, in place of the syringe78.

It is apparent that the technique simulator disclosed here is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can employ various configurations without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

The detailed description above describes a technique simulator and a method of using the technique simulator. The invention is not limited, however, to the precise embodiments and variations described. Various changes, modifications and equivalents can be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. It is expressly intended that all such changes, modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the claims are embraced by the claims.