Surgical simulation system and associated methods

A surgical simulation device may include a support structure, a tray carried by the support structure, and animal tissue carried by the tray. A simulated human skeleton portion may be carried by the support structure above the animal tissue, and simulated human skin covers the simulated human skeleton portion. The support structure may permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the tray relative to the support structure to thereby permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the animal tissue relative to the simulated human skeleton portion and simulated human skin.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon provisional application Ser. No. 62/219,550, filed Sep. 16, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a surgical simulation system to allow for realistic surgical training.

BACKGROUND

Surgical skill training may be imperative before a surgeon or surgical trainee attempts surgery on live patients. New surgical procedures are constantly being developed that may require both surgeons and surgical trainees to practice new surgical procedures before operating on live patients.

Historically, surgical training has been provided through apprenticeships almost exclusively offered in hospital settings. Residents performed surgery under the supervision of more experienced surgeons. The type of situations presented to the surgeon trainee was largely driven by chance as the nature and timing of situations needing surgery found in patients was not under anyone's control. This model of using a stream of situations as presented by clinical service of human patients may not provide a model for repetition until mastery. As the number of hours that residents are available for surgery has decreased, the range of surgical events presented to surgical residents has also decreased. The failure rate for surgery board certifications exams is now in the range of 26%. For specialized board certifications such as thoracic surgery, the failure rate has been as high as 33%.

For this reason, simulators that provide for realistic surgical environments for surgical training purposes have become increasingly valuable tools. Many known surgical training stimulators exist that use organ models or computer-generated virtual reality systems. These training simulators, however, only provide limited realism and are expensive. For this reason, oftentimes, anaesthetized animals are used for vivo training. However, ethical considerations surrounding the use of the live animals for training is a concern for some. Often times, human cadavers are also used. Like with the use of live animals, concerns still surround the use of cadaver organs as the waste is considered toxic, making clean-up and disposal problematic.

More recently, simulators have been developed that allow for a full operative experience with cardiac surgery and with lung surgery (both open and thoracoscopic) without the use of live animals. Such lifelike simulators can use either animal (e.g., porcine) organs, or human cadaver organs for surgery education and training. The simulators use organs that have been reanimated using hydraulics, reperfusion, and computer orchestration, and are then placed in a human equivalent model.

In one example, the model uses a porcine heart that is prepared with an intraventricular balloon in each ventricle. The balloons are inflated by a computer controlled activator. The computer program is able to simulate the beating heart, various cardiac arrhythmias, hypo- and hypertensive states, cardiac arrest, and even placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump. The model is perfused with a washable blood substitute. When placed in a replica of the pericardial well in a mannequin, the system is capable of duplicating most aspects of cardiac surgery including all aspects of cardiopulmonary bypass, coronary artery bypass grafting both on and off bypass, aortic valve replacement, heart transplantation, and aortic root reconstruction. The computer protocols also make experience with adverse events such as accidental instillation of air into the pump circuit, aortic dissection, and sudden ventricular fibrillation after discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass possible.

Published U.S. Application No. 2015/0024362 to Feins et al. discloses a significant advance in surgical simulation whereby a generally flat tray having a central indentation for receiving an animated animal heart and lung block, is supported on a basket. The entire contents of the published Feins et al. application are incorporated by reference herein. A half torso can be prepped and fixed to the tray over the animal organs. Unfortunately, the relative positioning of the torso and animated animal heart and lung block is fixed. In addition, the set up and disposal of the animal organs may be tedious and cause significant downtime before reusing the simulator.

A need exists to help facilitate and easily repeat such realistic surgical simulations to increase the educational experience and practice achieved through the introduction of the new surgical simulators. In particular, a need exists for the quick and easily set-up, as well as disposal of the organs, so that such simulations can be repeatedly performed without unnecessary downtime in most any environment. In this manner, procedures, tools and techniques can be demonstrated and practiced repeatedly, with minimal downtime between simulations, in most any environment.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. A surgical simulation device and associated methods are provided for simulating realistic surgery on animal organs, which is particularly useful for simulating human surgeries, such as using robotics. The surgical simulation device may comprise a support structure, a tray carried by the support structure, and animal tissue carried by the tray. A simulated human skeleton portion may be carried by the support structure above the animal tissue, and simulated human skin may cover the simulated human skeleton portion. In addition, the support structure may permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the tray relative to the support structure to thereby permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the animal tissue relative to the simulated human skeleton portion and simulated human skin. Accordingly, the positioning of the animal tissue relative to the adjacent human skeleton portion and skin can be readily set for a variety of training scenarios. In addition, the removal and set-up times can also be enhanced.

The support structure may comprise a base support, a stand carried by the base support, and a caddy adjustably carried by the stand and receiving the tray thereon. The stand may comprise opposing walls, with each wall having a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending slots therein; and the caddy may comprise a set of projections extending outwardly and slidably received within selected ones of the slots. Each of the slots may comprise a notched slot, for example.

The simulated human skeleton portion may comprise a spinal column and a rib cage coupled thereto. Moreover, the simulated human skin may comprise an innermost layer and an outermost layer, and with the innermost layer protruding between ribs of the rib cage.

The simulated human skeleton portion may comprise a clavicle and scapula adjacent the rib cage. The simulated human skeleton, in some embodiments, may comprise a pelvis coupled to the spinal column at a fixed angle. In other embodiments, the simulated human skeleton may comprise a pelvis coupled to the spinal column at an adjustable angle. A simulated human diaphragm may be provided within the rib cage.

The animal tissue may comprise a heart and lung block, for example. In addition, the surgical simulation device may also include at least one animating device coupled to the heart and lung block. The animal tissue may comprise harvested porcine tissue, and, in other embodiments, the animal tissue may comprise human cadaver tissue.

A method aspect is for surgical simulation and may comprise positioning a tray carrying animal tissue on a support structure, and manipulating the support structure to selectively horizontally and vertically position the tray relative to the support structure to thereby selectively horizontally and vertically position the animal tissue relative to a simulated human skeleton portion carried by the support structure. The method may also include covering the simulated human skeleton portion with simulated human skin, and performing at least one surgical procedure on the animal tissue while penetrating through the simulated human skeleton portion and simulated human skin.

The support structure may comprise a base support, a stand carried by the base support, and a caddy adjustably carried by the stand and receiving the tray thereon. The stand may comprise opposing walls having vertically spaced, horizontally extending slots therein, and the caddy may comprise a set of projections extending outwardly and slidably received within selected ones of the slots.

The summary is meant to provide an introduction to the concepts that are disclosed without being an exhaustive list of the many teachings and variations upon those teachings that are provided in the extended discussion within this disclosure.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Further, it is not necessary to provide examples of every possible combination of the inventive concepts described in this application as one of skill in the art will recognize that inventive concepts illustrated in the application can be combined together in order to address a specific application or modified based upon concepts known in the art to address specific applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Different embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown. Many different forms can be set forth and described embodiments should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

FIG. 1illustrates a top perspective view of one example of a surgical simulation assembly100. The surgical simulation assembly100includes a support base101, a stand102for supporting a simulated human torso comprising simulated human skin107,108,109, a simulated human thoracic skeleton106, which may include a clavicle110(FIG. 23) and a human diaphragm111(FIG. 24). The stand102illustratively includes two opposing plates103, each of which has a series of straight slots103aand diagonal slots103bcut into them, that form the supports for a tissue system comprising a disposable tray105(FIG. 11) and a caddy104(FIG. 12). The disposable tray fits into the caddy, whose height can be elevated or lowered within the rib cage of the simulated skeleton106as described below for use in the surgical simulation procedure. In other words, a support structure may be considered as comprising the base support101, the stand102carried by the base support, and the caddy104adjustably carried by the stand and receiving the tray105thereon. The support structure permits selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the tray105relative to the support structure to thereby permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the animal tissue relative to the simulated human skeleton portion106and simulated human skin107,108,109.

All the materials of the surgical simulation assembly100may be made of plastic, metal or other material necessary to provide the desired support system for the surgical simulation. At least one animating device90is coupled to the tissue to perform the various animating functions as will explained in greater detail below.

FIG. 2illustrates a top perspective view of one example of a support base101having two sets of opposing handles101aon each side to enable movement of the surgical simulation system. In the illustrated example, the support base101comprises a generally flat rectangular tray that may be molded, or alternatively, machined, or formed using 3D printing technology. The support base101may be placed on a surgical table or other elevated support as necessary to simulate surgery using the surgical simulation assembly100.

FIG. 3illustrates a top perspective view of one example of a stand102that is attached to the support base101. The stand102is open on the bottom, along the front or back side and includes an elongated U-shaped opening on its top for permitting the stand to be placed over the caddy104and the molded tray105, which is designed to hold animal-derived organs for simulated surgery. The tray105and organs are sealed into a bag, which together form a “cassette.”

FIG. 4illustrates a top perspective view of one example of a stand102resting on the support base101. The stand102may rest upon or, be affixed or mounted to, the support base101.

FIG. 5illustrates a top perspective view of one example of two opposing plates that are affixed to the support base101and considered as part of the stand102. Each of the two plates103contains two sets of slots: one set103ais cut straight into the plates for a distance of between 1-3″ (with 2.25″ being optimal); and a second set103bcut on first on a diagonal and then straight for a distance of between 1-3″ (with 2.25″ being optimal). Alternatively, the two sets of grooves or slots may be molded onto the sides of the stand102, as will be described in greater detail below. The two straight slots are in alignment with each other to level the caddy when mounted to the opposing plates. The plates103may be designed as separate pieces from the side walls of the stand, or, alternatively, the slots may be integrated into the opposing sides of the stand102, internal to the stand102.

FIG. 6illustrates a top perspective view of the opposing plates103with grooves103aand103baffixed to the support base101.FIG. 7illustrates a top perspective view of the opposing plates103within the surrounding portions of the stand102affixed to the support base101. Again, the grooves or slots may be integrated into opposing sides of the stand102, to eliminate the separate plates103.

FIG. 8illustrates a top perspective view of one example of a caddy104. The caddy104has a handle104afor inserting and removing it from the surgical simulation assembly, and two sets of opposing projections or pegs104bprotruding from the top and bottom of each side. By use of these pegs, the caddy104may be slidably engaged within the slots103aand103bof the opposing plates103. The pegs104amay be slidably engaged first into a pair of diagonal slots103bthat permit the caddy104to be raised or lowered within the rib cage portion of the simulated skeleton106and then locked into the selected position by being slidably engaged into a pair of straight slots103a. The caddy further includes a hole104cat one end surrounded by a raised perimeter104dthat forms a boundary in which rests the tray105. The tray may still be able to move laterally, front and back, along the opposing plates103at a distance of the front pair of straight slots103a.

FIG. 9illustrates a top perspective view of the caddy104slidably engaged in the slots104aand104bof the opposing plates103.FIG. 10illustrates a top perspective view of part of the surgical simulation assembly100comprising the support base101, the stand102including the opposing plates103, and the caddy104.

FIG. 11illustrates a top perspective view of one example of a disposable molded tray105. The disposable tray may be pre-loaded with a suitable animal-derived organ, such as a porcine heart and lung block that has a pneumatically-actuated balloon inserted in the heart and no-drip connections to the arterial and venous vascularization such that IV bags filled with artificial (theater) blood may be attached to perfuse the heart/lung block. To facilitate proper storage and handling, the tray may be sealed in a vacuum bag. A 20-25% ethanol solution can be used as a preservative for the tray and tissue. The loaded and sealed tray may be referred to as a “cassette”. Once the operation is complete, the tray with organs may be disposed of. If surgery needs to be restarted, a new cassette may simply be placed on the surgical simulation assembly100.

The tray105includes an indentation105asized to receive organs, thereby creating an organ cavity. Both the tray105and the support base101may also contain one or more graduated troughs for housing tube and hoses, channels for housing additional tubes and drainage channels with apertures (not shown). The hoses may be air hoses and tubes housed in the trough and channels to simulate a beating heart or blood flood through the simulated organs. Both the tray105and the support base101may also further include a recess or recesses for containing the tubes and hoses within the troughs. In particular, the indentation105areceives the heart and holds the heart in a position to simulate the relative location of the human heart.

In operation, the tubes and hoses may provide some combination of one or more pneumatic supply lines, one or more pressurized fluid supply lines or, optionally, one or more instrument communication buses. To keep the hoses within the troughs and channels, a plate (not shown) may be positioned within a plate recess created in the tray105. The plate, when positioned in the plate recess, covers the hoses before affixing the simulator organs to the tray105. In this manner, the tubes are concealed under the organs to create a more realistic surgical environment.

In the illustrated example, the tray105has an indentation105a, which is designed for use with porcine organs. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the tray may be utilized in connection with or specifically designed to be utilized in connection with other animal organs, as well as human cadaver organs (as may be desired).

FIG. 12illustrates a top perspective view of the caddy104and tray105showing the handle104aand side pegs of the caddy104b. As illustrated byFIG. 13, the caddy104and tray105sit under the stand102by being slidably engaged within the slots103aand103bof the opposing plates103located on the support base101. The slots103aand103bin the stand provide an approach for adjusting the position of the caddy inside the skeletal rib cage both up and down (i.e. closer to the collarbone or away from the collarbone) and another adjustment of the carrier tray such that it moves closer to the sternum (center of body) or closer to the rib cage (away from center of body) (i.e., the 1-2″ of forward or backward movement). This positioning of the carrier tray within the model may be important in establishing a realistic surgical simulation. If the carrier tray is not in an anatomically correct position, the operation surgeon may be at a disadvantage and may not learn the desired skills. It should be noted that there is significant variability in the size and shape of the animal tissue that is normal within the porcine population. This variability is highly desired in the training process because it replicates the variability experienced in the human patient population. In other training simulation methodologies, such as computer generated images or virtual reality systems, the same anatomy is repeated presented and there is no or little variability.

FIG. 14illustrates a top perspective view of an example of a simulated human skeleton106, including a portion of the human rib cage, spinal column and pelvis. The pelvis may be joined to the spinal column106aat a fixed angle of between 25 degrees and 45 degrees, with 30 degrees being optimal. Alternatively, the pelvis may be joined to the spinal column with a hinge allowing positioning of the pelvis at any angle within the range of the hinge opening allowing for the bend to be made during surgery at a desired angle. This is done to simulate what is done in actual thoracic surgery in order to expand the rib cage and/or reposition the torso to better facilitate surgical conditions and response to such surgical conditions.

As illustrated byFIGS. 15 and 16, the rib cage of the simulated skeleton106rests over the tray105on the caddy106.FIG. 17illustrates a side perspective view of one example of simulated human skin to cover the shoulder area of the simulated skeleton106. The innermost layer107amay be dyed to resemble the red muscles between the ribs and outer layer107bresembles one of several human skin colors. The simulated skin is molded so that the red layer107aprotrudes slightly between the ribs and locks into the rib cage, providing a realistic look when viewed from a vision system placed inside the thorax.

The skin or covering for the skeleton may be formed as two separate/separable layers, where the inner layer is simulates muscle tissue clipped to the ribs. In addition, the ribs may include numbering indicia thereon (not shown), visible by the vision system from within the skeleton to assist the user in identifying the location within the skeleton106.

FIGS. 18 and 19show the simulated skin107positioned over the shoulder area of the simulated skeleton106and the skeleton positioned atop the caddy104and tray105. As shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, additional parts of the torso may be covered by additional pieces of skin, such as a piece covering the lower spinal and pelvic areas108and the midsection of the thorax109. These pieces may also be dyed similarly to the simulated skin covering the shoulder area, and may also be molded so that the inner layer is able to lock into the underlying parts of the simulated skeleton107. As illustrated byFIG. 22, when all three pieces of simulated skin107,108and109are applied to the simulated skeleton107the result realistically simulates the human torso on its side. While this embodiment teaches the skin to be made in three pieces, the skin may be made of one or more pieces.

FIGS. 23 and 24illustrate a top perspective view of a simulated clavicle110and diaphragm111for the simulated patient. The clavicle110and the diaphragm111may both be attached to the simulated skeleton106, for example, with clear plastic rods or other engagement mechanisms. During the set-up of a surgery event, these features may serve as “landmarks,” along with the rib cage to determine where to make incisions and where to place various minimally invasive probes, such as robotic arms of surgery robots. The skin should be made of a material that facilitates the cutting of the skin, similar to that provided by surgery, and that allows for the user to locate the skeletal parts under the skin to locate the surgical landmarks.

In operation, a lightly pressurized water/paint mixture resembling blood may be provided to the simulated organs through tubing connected to the organ. In this manner, blood emulating fluid may be provided to the organ. For example, when pumped into the heart, the fluid may be pumped into a divided right pulmonary artery and a divided right superior pulmonary vein to distend and pressurize the venous and arterial systems. Static fluid pressure within the vessels may be achieved using gravity flow from a one-liter IV bag. Pressure may be limited to avoid severe pulmonary edema. Extended perfusion times (1-2 hours) may be maintained without substantial fluid leakage into the airways by preparing the porcine organ block to occlude the left mainstem bronchus to inhibit leaking and loss of pressure.

Because blood emulating fluid is provided to the organ for simulation, certain of the fluid will be released during the surgical simulation, such as when the animal tissue is cut. The fluid may then be drained from the tray105or the support base101through a drainage aperture (not shown) and collected in a containment bag (not shown). Once the surgery is completed, the organs are disconnected from the air pump and any other extraneous devices or elements (i.e., IV for perfusion of fluids). The tray105and organs can then be placed within the containment bag (not shown), along with any collected fluid and disposed. Another containment bag can then be placed within the model and another tray105can be placed within the model to simulate another surgery. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other devices and structures, in addition to a containment bag, may be utilized to collect and remove the fluid from the surgical procedure.

A prepped tray105may contain organ blocks containing the heart with pericardium, lungs, trachea, esophagus and 10-12 inches of aorta (all not shown). The organ blocks may be harvested from animals butchered for food.

The affixed animal organ block heart with one or more lungs may be affixed to the tray105by two or more block tie ropes (not shown). The organ block may be affixed, for example, by attachment to a trachea and an aorta of the heart lung block. The affixed organ block may be a pig heart lung block. Alternatively, the animal heart and lung may be a human cadaver heart and lung or may be taken from another animal.

To simulate surgery, the organs in the block are prepped with the tray105in advance for quick connection to a pump and other equipment used to simulate realistic surgical experience. Organ preparation starts with an incision of the pericardium on the right posterior side of the heart so that it could be reattached with no noticeable holes when viewed from the left side. The superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, right pulmonary artery, and right pulmonary veins are then divided with care taken to leave as much vessel length as possible. The right lung is then fully detached and the organs are washed extensively to remove coagulated blood from the heart and vessels. All divided vessels except for the main branch of the right pulmonary artery and right superior pulmonary vein are then tied off using 0-silk.

Small diameter plastic tubes with Luer-Lok® connectors are then placed into the divided right pulmonary artery and right superior pulmonary vein, and fixed using purse-string sutures. To create distention of the aorta, silicone caulking and with a one-half inch foam rod were injected to the level of the ascending aorta.

After the silicone has cured, the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid are tied off using 0-silk. Finally, the left mainstem bronchus was occluded by stapling the divided right mainstem bronchus as well as the proximal trachea. The left hilum remained unaltered, and all modifications to the heart were hidden by the pericardium during the procedure. Following preparation, the organs may be stored at 4 degrees Celsius in 10% ethanol containing teaspoon of red food coloring, where they will remain fresh for at least 1 month. Alternatively, 40% ethanol can be used to preserve the organs for over a year to 18 months and still perform as well as freshly harvested organs. Organs may be stored in 40% ethanol prior to preparation. After preparation, organs may be stored in less than 30 ml of 20% ethanol and vacuum sealed. Organs may be treated with ozone prior to preparation. Prepared organs may be stored under refrigeration or lightly frozen.

The porcine organ block can be affixed to, or positioned on, the tray105. For purposes of simulating a human, the porcine heart can be rotated to emulate the position of a human heart in a torso. For example, the left side of the porcine heart can be placed into the indentation105aof the tray105with the left lung placed over an inflatable air bladder.

Inflation and deflation of lungs of a real patient causes the rise and fall of the mediastinum. An appropriate volume of air or some other fluid may be used to inflate and deflate an appropriately sized and placed container hidden under the tissue to be animated with movement. For example a respiration rate of 20 breaths per minute can be simulated by periodically expanding an air bladder such as a whoopee cushion, or an empty one-liter IV bag that is folded in half.

A balloon placed in the heart and connected to a closed system air source to allow for emulating the beating of a heart (such as at a rate of 78 beats per minute) adds to the sense of realism of the staged reality event.

Thus, this staged reality module could be animated by providing one quick connect fitting to connect the heart balloon to the air supply (i.e., motor) to provide the beating heart effect by pneumatic lines (not shown). A second quick connect fitting to a different pneumatic line (not shown) could provide the lung movement air. A quick connect of a fluid connection to hydraulic or fluid line (not shown) with blood vessels allows for slightly pressured simulated blood to be provided. As used in this embodiment, a quick connect fitting is one that may be connected to a corresponding fitting without the use of tools. A quick connect fitting may be used to connect to hydraulic line, pneumatic line, electrical line, or digital communication bus.

The assembly100may also include straps or other attachment mechanisms (not shown) for attaching the simulated skeleton106to the stand102. The assembly100may also be equipped with a pole for hanging an intravenous (IV) fluid line(s).

Turning now additionally toFIGS. 25-31, various components of other variations of the system100′ are now described. In particular, as shown inFIG. 25, the caddy104′ includes a pair of pegs or projections104b′ on each side that engage corresponding notched slots103b′ (FIGS. 26-28) to permit both selectable vertical and horizontal positioning as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In particular, each set of notched slots103b′ communicate with a respective vertical slot120, which, in turn, communicates with a full length horizontally extending slot121on each side of the stand102, as perhaps most easily understood with reference toFIG. 26. In addition, a full length, lowermost, horizontal slot122is also provided to permit storage/transportation of the caddy104within the stand102(FIG. 27) prior to repositioning for use (FIG. 28).

In these embodiments, the slots are formed in or through the sidewalls of the stand102′. Based on the number of detents or depressions in each slot103b′ being four, and the number of vertical positions defined by the slots being four, the caddy104′ has sixteen possible set positions relative to the stand102′ in the illustrated embodiment. For example, these sixteen positions can extend over 2.25 inches vertically and 2.25 inches horizontally. Of course, other configurations and numbers of positions are possible.

With additional reference toFIG. 29, another feature in the illustrated embodiment is the provision of a transparent or translucent window125in the sidewall of the stand102′ that permits the user to view the end of a peg or projection103b′. Such a window125can be provided at the other positions corresponding to sets of slots103b′ for additional user convenience, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring now additional toFIGS. 30-32, another aspect of the system100′ is now described. In this variation, a top wall136of the stand102′ includes a ridge132that extends upwardly around an outer periphery and around the periphery of the medial opening135(FIG. 30). The stand102′ also includes a topmost platform127(FIGS. 31-32) with a medial opening130aligned with the medial opening135in the top wall136. The topmost platform127also includes a corresponding keyed recess128that is keyed to the ridge132of the top wall136. The top wall136also includes a partial end recess129a(FIG. 30) that aligns with a corresponding partial end recess129bin the topmost platform127(FIG. 32) to define a channel129, as shown inFIG. 31. The ridge132and keyed recess128provide for proper relative positioning, and provide a barrier to prevent liquids from travelling outside the stand102. The channel129is illustratively located where the neck of the torso would be located and permits tubing to run therethrough to the animal tissue block as described above.

A method aspect is for surgical simulation and may comprise positioning a tray carrying animal tissue on a support structure, and manipulating the support structure to selectively horizontally and vertically position the tray relative to the support structure to thereby selectively horizontally and vertically position the animal tissue relative to a simulated human skeleton portion carried by the support structure. The method may also include covering the simulated human skeleton portion with simulated human skin, and performing at least one surgical procedure on the animal tissue while penetrating through the simulated human skeleton portion and simulated human skin.

As used herein animal tissue is meant to cover both harvested non-human animal tissue, as well as human cadaver tissue. The human cadaver tissue may also be animated as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In addition, while the disclosed embodiments are described based upon the thoracic region in a lateral orientation, in other embodiments, other orientations may be provided, such as supine, for example. Further, while a heart and lung block has been described, in other embodiments, different organ/tissue blocks may also be used.

It is to be understood that, while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications of the invention are within the scope of the claims set forth below. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.