Patent Application: US-201114349831-A

Abstract:
the simulator device of the present invention has been created ex profeso for being applied in the learning , training and evaluation , mainly of basic techniques of surgery , particularly laparoscopic , endoscopic or minimal invasion techniques , and the use of specialized instruments . it includes a variety of modules or components capable of being assembled into different shapes so as to erect or mount different working stations , specific for different practice exercises , such an incision , manipulation of object , forming suture stitches and surgical knots , as well as other exercises .

Description:
the device of this invention for learning and training in basic techniques of laparoscopic , endoscopic or minimal invasion surgery , consists of a series of modules or components that can be assembled with different configurations , in order to assemble or enable different work stations , specific for several practice exercises . in the following drawings there are illustrated with illustrative , non - limitative purposes the design and configuration of different modules or pieces , as well as the original erecting , mounting and assembling systems of the present invention . fig1 - 9 illustrate separately the pieces ; and fig1 , 11 , 13 , 14 and 15 represent different mounting and erecting embodiments of the working stations of the present invention . in fig1 a base 11 is shown having a rectangular pyramid shape , with two faces and four sides ; said base 11 having the function of support the piece or the pieces of the shape selected by the user ; and for that purpose one of its faces has at least two channels or slots 12 , preferably parallel to each other , having a breath corresponding to the thickness 13 of base 1 , and serving to insert other elements therein , as a dovetail assemble . fig2 shows a very broad , “ u ”- shaped panel supporting piece 21 with a horizontal long branch 22 and in one of the ends there of there are two perpendicular branches or short projections , projecting from either end 23 thereof . likewise , near the points 23 of every short branch , an externally concave hook - like groove 23 can be seen , with said elements 23 being supporting some of the “ work panels ”, as shown in fig1 . the long branch 22 of the support is assembled on the base 11 , by fitting in within one of the channels 12 , since the thickness 13 of the support and the breath of the corresponding channel have the same dimensions , with the support for panels 21 being used with a kit of two or more units , as shown in fig1 and 11 . fig3 shows a so - called “ comb ” or “ shell comb ” element 31 having a long branch 32 having a plurality of short perpendicular projections 33 , projecting from one of the borders thereof , with teeth - like blunt points , the purpose of which is to receive alternatively the rings 41 shown in fig4 , during the exercise of transference of objects . as with the support 22 in fig2 , the long branch of the “ shell comb ” 32 is assembled on the base 11 , by fitting in within one of its channels 12 , as the thickness 32 thereof is equal to the thickness 13 of the corresponding channel 12 of said base 11 . said “ shell combs ” 31 are utilized also with a kit of at least two pieces , as shown in fig1 . fig4 shows a set of rings 41 , the function of which is to be manipulated and transported through the use of laparoscopic clamps and fitted - in in a precise manner , alternatively on the different teeth of the “ shell comb ” 31 during the object transferring exercise , as can be seen in fig1 . in fig5 an embodiment of a panel 51 is shown from the work panels , whereby the exercises of knots and clips application are carried out . said “ knots panel ” 51 is a rectangular or squared , semi - flexible and semi - resilient sheet having near two of its opposite edges , various holes also of square or rectangle form 52 , which provide for the fitting in or hooking on the respective “ hooks ” of said support pieces , as appears in fig1 . the “ knots panel ” 51 also shows several rectangular orifices or recesses 53 separated apart from one another by strips or straps 54 , one of which will be surrounded by the thread , string or filament to be knotted through the use of suitable instruments , according to surgical technique , around said strip . similarly , said strips or straps 54 allow for the practice in application of hemostatic “ clips ”, by using a suitable instrument . likewise , in fig6 an additional embodiment of the work panel 61 is illustrated for the practice of the incising exercise . as in the previous instance , said panel is a semi - flexible and semi - resilient sheet , exhibiting the squared orifices 62 entering the “ hooks ” in the support , as shown in detail in fig1 , and at the center of its faces a drawn or printed fig6 is shown , such as a circle figure , which must be cut on precisely during the corresponding practice , by using a laparoscopic scissors and a laparoscopic support clamp ( not shown ). furthermore , in fig7 other embodiment of the work panel 71 is illustrated for the exercise of suture application . as in the other panels , the insertion holes 72 are shown and at the central portion of said panel 71 , a lineal cut 73 is shown , the lips of which are to be “ sutured ” through the use of a thread or yarn with a semicircular “ non - traumatic ” surgical needle incorporated therein ( not shown ) and by using a laparoscopic needle carrier and support clamps ( not shown ), and making up surgical knots through intra - body or extra - body techniques . in fig8 another embodiment is shown of the work panel 81 , for practicing spiral , wherein , further to the insertion holes 82 , there are included a straight lineal cut 83 , at the ends of which semi - circular “ recesses ” 84 and small circular holes 85 are provided a long each of the lips of the central cut . by this means two opposite laps are available . in this practice a segment of two or three wire or plastic spiral loops 141 are passed , as shown in fig1 , by alternatively threading through either of holes 85 and by rotating movements , by using needle carrier and laparoscopic clamps ( not shown ), so as to advance said spiral 141 from one end to another of said lineal cut 83 . this is a preparatory exercise for suture application with a needle , so as the practice masters the rotation movements of hands and wrists . fig9 shows another embodiment of a work panel . this additional embodiment is also a plastic rectangular sheet 91 , semi - flexible and semi - resilient . said characteristics allow for the panel to be bent into an arch in order to take a dome shape , as shown in fig9 . said panel 91 is not provided with insertion holes , as the support thereof is by means of direct assembling of two of the edges thereof into the respective channels 12 of base 11 , as illustrated in fig1 . this erecting system enable the panel shape of arch or dome . said panel 91 can be provided of a lineal cut 92 for suture practices or a printed or drawing figure for the incision practice , as shown in fig6 likewise , fig1 shows four panel supports 22 , disclosed with fig2 , assembled into the corresponding channels 12 of base 11 ; with the hook - shaped ends 23 ready to receive a work panel . fig1 illustrates an exploded view of the device at the working area for the transference of objects . base 11 is illustrated in said figure , with its channeled areas 12 , the shell - comb 32 and rings 41 to be inserted on the respective teeth 33 . moreover , in fig1 a detailed view is shown of the insertion of a hook 23 of the support piece through the insertion orifices 52 , 62 , 72 and 82 of the work panel . a “ suture ” practice is illustrated in fig1 , with the panel 71 split , stretched and hooked on supports 21 which , in turn , are shown assembled into the channeled base 11 . fig1 shows the spiral practice panel 81 , mounted and ready to be used ; wherein the channeled base 11 is illustrated , as well as the panel supports 21 , the split panel with holes 81 and the spiral 141 threaded into the holes 85 of the laps mentioned in the fig8 description . in fig1 an embodiment of the panel 91 shown in fig9 is illustrated arched and inserted into channels 12 of base 11 , to obtain a work area wherein the incision practice is carried out ; said panel 91 including a lineal slot 92 . fig1 shows a channeled base 11 with two rectangle shaped simple supports 161 with a transversal slot 162 and with an irregular tubular element 163 pending from and inserted into corresponding support slots , suitable for cannulation and also for suture and anastomosis practices . review of available methods of simulation training to facilitate surgical education badma bashankaev , sergei baido , steven d . wexner , surgical endoscopy ( 2011 ) 25 : 28 - 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