Advanced surgical simulation constructions and methods

1. A surgical simulation system for the practice of electrosurgical activity, comprising:

at least one outer layer;

a simulated tissue structure comprising an inner layer that is adjacent to and in contact with the at least one outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprises a foam material, wherein the inner layer defines an interior cavity, and wherein both the inner layer and the at least one outer layer define a shape of at least a portion of a uterus; and

a simulated pathology located adjacent to or embedded in the simulated tissue structure, wherein the simulated pathology is removable from the simulated tissue structure via use of an electrical current,

wherein, the at least one outer layer is placed over the simulated tissue structure, wherein the at least one outer layer comprises an elastomeric hydrogel, the elastomeric hydrogel being electro-conductive such that the at least one outer layer is operably severable under application of the electrical current to simulate electrosurgery, and wherein the elastomeric hydrogel defines a predetermined pathway between non-conductive regions to simulate pathways encountered in real surgery for practicing electrosurgical activity.

2. A surgical simulation system for the practice of electrosurgical activity, comprising:

a simulated tissue structure comprising:

an inner layer adjacent to and in contact with an outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprises a foam material, wherein the outer layer comprises an elastomeric hydrogel wherein the inner layer defines an interior cavity, and wherein both the inner layer and the outer layer define a shape of at least a portion of a uterus;

a simulated pathology located adjacent to or embedded in the simulated tissue structure, wherein the simulated pathology is removable from the simulated tissue structure via use of an electrical current; and

at least one tube having a first end and a second end; the tube extending outwardly from the outer layer and configured to mimic the shape of a fallopian tube; the tube comprising silicone containing electro-conductive material,

wherein the elastomeric hydrogel is electro-conductive such that the elastomeric hydrogel is operably severable under application of the electrical current to simulate electrosurgery in a training environment.

3. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 wherein the simulated pathology is made of silicone and untreated fumed silicon dioxide.

4. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 further including an opening to the cavity.

5. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the training environment is a surgical training device configured to mimic a torso, the training device comprising:

a base; and

a top cover connected to and spaced apart from the base by at least one leg to define an internal cavity between the top cover and the base, wherein the internal cavity is at least partially obstructed from direct observation by a practitioner,

wherein the simulated tissue structure is placed inside the internal cavity.

6. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is made of one or more of silicone elastomers, natural latex, polyurethane elastomers, hydrogels, and styrenic-block-copolymers.

7. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is sized and configured to represent one or more of omentum mesentery, fat, connective tissue, peritoneum, mesothelium, or broad ligaments.

8. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the simulated pathology comprises one or more of tumors or cysts.

9. The surgical simulation system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more tumors comprise intramural tumors or synthetic fibroid tumors.

10. The surgical simulation system of claim 9 , wherein the synthetic fibroid tumors comprise one or more of pedunculated submucosal fibroids, subserosal fibroids, submucosal fibroids, pedunculated subserosal fibroids, and intramural fibroids.

11. The surgical simulations system of claim 8 , wherein the cysts comprise ovarian cysts.

12. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is calendared or press-formed so as to have a texture and finish that appears to be naturally occurring.

13. The surgical simulation system of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has a plurality of different strong and weak regions.

14. A surgical simulation system for practicing electrosurgery, the system comprising:

at least one outer layer;

a simulated tissue structure comprising:

an inner layer that is adjacent to and in contact with the at least one outer layer, and wherein the inner layer defines a shape of at least a portion of a uterus, and

at least one tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one tube extends outwardly from the at least one outer layer and is configured to define a shape of a fallopian tube; and

one or more simulated pathologies located adjacent to or embedded in the simulated tissue structure, wherein the one or more simulated pathologies are removable from the simulated tissue structure via use of an electrical current, and wherein at least one of the simulated pathologies comprises a simulated ectopic pregnancy that is embedded within the at least one tube,

wherein the at least one outer layer is placed over the simulated tissue structure, wherein the at least one outer layer comprises an elastomeric hydrogel, the elastomeric hydrogel being electro-conductive such that the at least one outer layer is operably severable under application of the electrical current to simulate electrosurgery, and wherein the elastomeric hydrogel defines a predetermined pathway between non-conductive regions to simulate pathways encountered in real surgery for practicing electrosurgical activity.