Advanced first entry model for surgical simulation

1. A surgical training device, comprising:

a laparoscopic trainer having a cavity and a floor for the cavity;

a penetrable simulated tissue structure having an upper surface and a lower surface and comprising at least one layer that simulates a tissue layer;

a receptacle connected to the simulated tissue structure; the receptacle having a wall defining an interior of the receptacle;

one or more simulated organs located in the interior of the receptacle; the one or more simulated organs being configured to be located proximate to the simulated tissue structure; and

a support configured to connect the receptacle to the laparoscopic trainer such that the receptacle is suspended above the floor of the cavity;

wherein the surgical training device is configured such that penetration of one or more of the simulated tissue structure and receptacle results in at least part of the one or more simulated organs inside the receptacle to translate distally away from the simulated tissue structure to simulate surgical insufflation of an abdominal cavity.

2. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes a top opening; the receptacle being connected to the penetrable simulated tissue structure such that the perimeter of the opening is sealed against the penetrable simulated tissue structure to prevent the transfer of fluid into and out of the interior of the receptacle.

3. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the wall of the receptacle completely surrounds the one or more simulated organs; the wall defining an exterior of the receptacle; and further including a valve located across the wall of the receptacle to provide fluid communication across the exterior and interior of the receptacle.

4. The surgical training device of claim 3 wherein the valve is a check-valve or a one-way pressure valve.

5. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the simulated tissue structure includes a plurality of substantially planar layers configured to simulate an abdominal wall.

6. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the simulated tissue structure is penetrable with a blunt surgical instrument.

7. The surgical training device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is provided with a negative pressure inside the interior of the receptacle relative to the exterior of the receptacle.

8. The surgical training device of claim 7 wherein penetration of the receptacle releases the negative pressure.

9. A surgical training device, comprising:

a laparoscopic trainer having a cavity and a floor for the cavity;

a penetrable simulated tissue structure configured to simulate an abdominal wall;

a receptacle connected to the tissue structure; the receptacle having a wall defining an interior and an exterior of the receptacle; the receptacle having a first configuration and a second configuration;

at least one tissue simulation located inside the receptacle; and

a support configured to connect the receptacle to the laparoscopic trainer such that the receptacle is suspended above the floor of the cavity;

wherein while in the first configuration of the receptacle, the at least one tissue simulation inside the receptacle is located proximate to the simulated tissue structure relative to the second configuration wherein while in the second configuration at least part of the tissue simulation inside the receptacle is located distally from simulated tissue structure relative to the first configuration; and

wherein fluid is transferable into the receptacle to convert the receptacle from a first configuration to a second configuration.

10. The surgical training device of claim 9 wherein transfer of fluid into the receptacle causes at least part of the at least one tissue simulation to translate from away from the simulated tissue structure.

11. The surgical training device of claim 9 wherein the receptacle has a first volume of fluid located inside the receptacle when in the first configuration and a second volume of fluid located inside the receptacle when in the second configuration;

and the second volume of fluid is greater than the first volume of fluid.

12. The surgical training device of claim 9 further including a valve across the wall of the receptacle for fluidic communication between the interior and the exterior of the cavity.

13. The surgical training device of claim 9 wherein the wall of the receptacle is elastic and transfer of fluid into the receptacle causes the receptacle wall to stretch.

14. The surgical training device of claim 13 wherein the wall of the receptacle is a layer of elastomeric material having an upper surface and a lower surface; the layer is attached to seal to a lower surface of the penetrable tissue structure such that a portion of the attached wall encompasses a portion of wall that is not attached to the penetrable simulated tissue structure.

15. The surgical training device of claim 9 wherein the wall of the receptacle is transparent.

16. The surgical training device of claim 9 wherein the penetrable simulated tissue structure includes a plurality of simulated tissue layers arranged in juxtaposition with each other; the simulated tissue layers include a simulated skin layer located above the remaining layers; each of the remaining layers having an opening extending through the layer; the simulated skin layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; the top surface of the simulated skin layer defines a first side of the simulated tissue structure; a tubular structure having a proximal end and a distal opening at a distal end; the distal end of the tubular structure extending through one or more openings in the remaining layers.

17. A method for simulating surgical insufflation comprising the steps of:

providing a model comprising a penetrable artificial tissue structure configured to simulate an abdominal wall; the model including a receptacle having a wall connected to the artificial tissue structure; the model including at least one tissue simulation disposed inside the receptacle and located proximally proximate to the artificial tissue structure;

providing a laparoscopic trainer having a cavity and a floor for the cavity;

suspending the model above the floor of the cavity inside the laparoscopic trainer;

moving an optical surgical obturator through the artificial tissue structure and into the receptacle;

observing the at least one tissue simulation inside the receptacle through the distal end of the optical obturator;

moving the at least one tissue simulation from a position proximal to the artificial tissue structure to a position relatively distal to the artificial tissue structure to simulate insufflation of an abdominal cavity.

18. The method of claim 17 further including the steps of:

creating a vacuum inside the receptacle; and

wherein the step of moving the at least one tissue simulation includes breaking the vacuum inside the receptacle.

19. The method of claim 17 further including the steps of:

providing a receptacle with an elastic wall;

transferring fluid into the receptacle and

wherein the step of moving the at least one tissue simulation includes expanding the elastic wall of the receptacle.