Simulated tissue structures and methods
Simulated tissue structures and methods of manufacturing are provided. The simulated tissue structures are particularly useful for placement inside abdominal simulators for practicing laparoscopic surgical techniques. One simulated tissue structure includes a combination of two materials that are attached together wherein one of the materials forms a hollow anatomical structure configured to contain the other material. The two materials are attached in an anatomically advantageous manner such that the inner surface of the outer material closely conforms to the outer surface of the inner material. Another simulated tissue structure includes a plurality of layers wherein at least one layer is applied by printing the layer with at least one stencil to impart one or more functional characteristic to the simulated tissue structure.
1. A method of making a simulated tissue structure comprising the steps of:
providing a mandrel having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis wherein the distal end of the mandrel includes an interlocking portion having a length;
providing an inner portion of a simulated tissue structure; the inner portion having a lumen sized and configured to receive the interlocking portion such that the entire length of the interlocking portion is located inside the lumen;
placing the inner portion onto the mandrel;
placing the interlocking portion of the mandrel into the lumen of the inner portion;
rotating the mandrel about the longitudinal axis;
applying uncured silicone onto the inner portion;
curing the silicone to form an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion; and
removing the inner portion and the outer portion as one unit from the mandrel.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a mandrel includes providing a mandrel having an anatomically-shaped portion distal to or proximal to the interlocking portion and the step of applying uncured silicone includes applying uncured silicone to the anatomically-shaped portion and inner portion to form the outer portion.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the anatomically shaped portion is shaped to mimic at least part of a human fallopian tube.
4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of providing an artificial tumor between the inner portion and the outer portion.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the inner portion includes a dimple sized and configured for seating the artificial tumor.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of removing the inner portion and outer portion includes rolling the outer portion towards the inner portion.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of curing the silicone includes adhering the outer portion to the inner portion.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the inner portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the outer portion.
9. A method of making a simulated tissue structure comprising the steps of:
providing a simulated anatomical structure;
providing a mandrel having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the mandrel being configured to removably attach to the simulated anatomical structure;
connecting the simulated anatomical structure to the mandrel at a location along the longitudinal axis;
rotating the mandrel and connected simulated anatomical structure;
applying a second material in an uncured state to the mandrel and to the simulated anatomical structure;
curing the second material onto the simulated anatomical structure and mandrel to form a simulated tissue structure in which the simulated anatomical structure is surrounded in a thin shell of the second material; the simulated tissue structure having at least one lumen defined by the second material cured onto the mandrel;
attaching the second material to the simulated anatomical structure; and
removing the simulated anatomical structure with the attached second material.
10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of providing a simulated tumor between the simulated anatomical structure and second material.