US-20260127982-A1 - Surgical Training Model for Laparoscopic Procedures

US20260127982A1US 20260127982 A1US20260127982 A1US 20260127982A1US-20260127982-A1

Abstract

A surgical training device is provided. The training device includes a model for practicing the passage of needle and suture. The model includes a base with a plurality of openings configured to receive a plurality of suture tabs. The suture tabs are made of elastomeric material. Some suture tabs includes pre-formed tab apertures for the passage of a suture. Other suture tabs include a penetrable area through which a suture needle may penetrate for passing a suture. The suture tabs are movable with respect to the base to orientate them at different angles with respect to the base. The base itself may include portions that are angled with respect to each other. The suture tabs are movable with respect to the base to pull, expose or open the tab apertures and surfaces. Some of the tab apertures are slits that open upon being pulled relative to the base requiring the user to practice holding the tab while passing the needle through the tab.

Inventors

Gregory K. Hofstetter
Tracy Breslin
Khodr Saleh
Natasha Felsinger
Katie Black
Milan Draganov

Assignees

APPLIED MEDICAL RESOURCES CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251230

Claims (1)

1 . A suture training model, comprising: a base that holds a plurality of suture tabs that can be replaced, stretched, and rotated with respect to the base; each suture tab providing a tab face that is capable of being pierced or including at least one pre-formed aperture through which a suture is to be passed; the base includes a plurality of openings for receiving the plurality of suture tabs; each opening receiving one or more of the plurality of suture tabs; wherein the base includes at least one angle to form at least two planes with openings holding the plurality of suture tabs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/407,821 entitled “Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures” filed on Jan. 9, 2024, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/840,392 entitled “Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures” filed on Jun. 14, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,869,378, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/897,142 entitled “Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures” filed on Jun. 9, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,361,679, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/166,661 entitled “Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures” filed on May 27, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,679,520 which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/318,902 entitled “Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures” filed on Apr. 6, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/167,129 entitled “Surgical training model for laparoscopic procedures” filed on May 27, 2015, hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This application is generally related to medical training devices, and in particular, to models for practicing suturing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Medical students as well as experienced doctors learning new surgical techniques must undergo extensive training before they are qualified to perform surgery on human patients. The training must teach proper techniques employing various medical devices for cutting, penetrating, clamping, grasping, stapling, cauterizing and suturing a variety of tissue types. The range of possibilities that a trainee may encounter is great. For example, different organs and patient anatomies and diseases are presented. The thickness and consistency of the various tissue layers will also vary from one part of the body to the next and from one patient to another. Different procedures demand different skills. Furthermore, the trainee must practice techniques in various anatomical environs that are influenced by factors such as the size and condition of the patient, the adjacent anatomical landscape and the types of targeted tissues and whether they are readily accessible or relatively inaccessible. Numerous teaching aids, trainers, simulators and model organs are available for one or more aspects of surgical training. However, there is a need for models or simulated tissue elements that are likely to be encountered in and that can be used for practicing endoscopic and laparoscopic, minimally invasive surgical procedures. In laparoscopic surgery, a trocar or cannula is inserted to access a body cavity and to create a channel for the insertion of a camera such as a laparoscope. The camera provides a live video feed capturing images that are then displayed to the surgeon on one or more monitors. At least one additional small incision is made through which another trocar/cannula is inserted to create a pathway through which surgical instruments can be passed for performing procedures observed on the monitor. The targeted tissue location such as the abdomen is typically enlarged by delivering carbon dioxide gas to insufflate the body cavity and create a working space large enough to accommodate the scope and instruments used by the surgeon. The insufflation pressure in the tissue cavity is maintained by using specialized trocars. Laparoscopic surgery offers a number of advantages when compared with an open procedure. These advantages include reduced pain, reduced blood and shorter recovery times due to smaller incisions. Laparoscopic or endoscopic minimally invasive surgery requires an increased level of skill compared to open surgery because the target tissue is not directly observed by the clinician. The target tissue is observed on monitors displaying a portion of the surgical site that is accessed through a small opening. Therefore, clinicians need to practice visually determining tissue planes, three-dimensional depth perception on a two-dimensional viewing screen, hand-to-hand transfer of instruments, suturing, precision cutting and tissue and instrument manipulation. Typically, models simulating a particular anatomy or procedure are placed in a simulated pelvic trainer where the anatomical model is obscured from direct visualization by the practitioner. Ports in the trainer are employed for passing instruments to practice techniques on the anatomical model hidden from direct visualization. Simulated pelvic trainers provide a functional, inexpensive and practical means to train surgeons and residents the basic skills and typical techniques used in laparoscopic surgery such as grasping, manipulating, cutting, tying knots, suturing, stapling, cauterizing as well as how to perform specific surgical procedures that utilized these basic skills. Simulated pelvic trainers are also effective sales tools for demonstrating medical devices r