KR20250158921A - Artificial Organ Simulator for Kidney Surgery Training - Google Patents

Abstract

The artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training according to the present invention has an artificial kidney covered with surrounding tissues, so that a tactile sensation similar to a real one can be felt, and ECIRS, PCNL, and RIRS practice can all be performed, and an actual surgical screen and surgical site can be implemented through ultrasound imaging.

Description

Artificial Organ Simulator for Kidney Surgery Training

The present invention relates to an artificial organ simulator, and more particularly, to an artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training in which an artificial kidney is covered with surrounding tissue to provide a realistic tactile sensation and in which ultrasound can be used.

Kidneys are important organs that filter blood and remove waste from our bodies, but kidney stones can form when substances in urine crystallize inside the kidneys.

Kidney stones can obstruct the flow of urine or cause symptoms such as pain and infection. Therefore, kidney stone removal surgery is performed in various ways depending on the size, location, and number of stones. In order to increase the accuracy of the actual surgery, it is necessary to perform repeated surgical training.

The Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (ECIRS) simulator, developed for this purpose, is a simulator that can be used to virtually practice the treatment of kidney stones as well as other kidney diseases.

ECIRS is a minimally invasive surgical technique that simultaneously performs percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopy. The simulator for practicing this technique helps medical staff effectively train collaborative surgical techniques using dual endoscopes (nephroscope + ureteroscope).

However, ECIRS simulators such as VirtaMed UroTrainer, PERC Mentor, and SIMENDO Urology Simulators are merely mechanical devices, so they not only do not provide realistic tactile sensations, but also cannot use ultrasound.

The reason why it is difficult to use ultrasound in conventional ECIRS simulators is that ultrasound images are formed by reflection and scattering depending on the density difference of human tissue, making it very difficult to accurately imitate the reactions of soft tissues, blood vessels, and stones around the kidney.

In particular, physical model-based simulators are made of materials like rubber or plastic, not actual human tissue. These materials do not naturally transmit or reflect ultrasound, making it difficult to provide realistic ultrasound images. For example, Korean Patent No. 10-2290797 discloses an artificial kidney simulator, but it only allows for visual observation and does not disclose any ultrasound-based imaging technology.

Domestic Patent No. 10-2290797 (August 20, 2021)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an artificial organ simulator that implements a realistic tactile sensation that was impossible in conventional artificial organ simulators, and that not only allows the use of ultrasound, but also enables ECIRS, PCNL, and RIRS renal surgery training all using a single simulator.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention comprises an artificial kidney covered with surrounding tissue that provides a tactile sensation similar to that of a real one; an artificial ureter connected to one end of the artificial kidney; and an artificial bladder connected to the other end of the artificial ureter and capable of being attached or detached; and can provide an artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training capable of practicing all of RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery), ECIRS (Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery), and PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the surrounding tissue is characterized in that it is manufactured from a composition including acrylamide and agarose.

In addition, the artificial organ is characterized by including connective tissue formed from a hydrogel composition containing agarose, acrylamide, N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide), ammonium persulfate, and water.

In addition, the artificial kidney is positioned inside the case, and an ultrasound probe is moved on the case to enable ultrasound imaging of the artificial kidney.

In addition, the case surface is characterized in that artificial skin is installed so that the movement of the ultrasonic probe can be provided with a tactile sensation similar to that of moving on actual human skin.

In addition, the artificial kidney can accommodate an artificial stone, and the practitioner can practice a surgery to remove or crush the stone.

In addition, the artificial ureter includes an artificial proximal ureter and an artificial distal ureter, and the proximal ureter and the distal ureter are characterized in that they are fixed by a silicone connecting member and a fixing cap.

In addition, the simulator is characterized in that it can be reused by replacing it with a new artificial kidney and artificial proximal ureter after surgical practice.

In addition, the artificial bladder is placed on a bladder holder made of plastic and soft silicone, and is characterized in that a rigid endoscopic sheath can be inserted into the proximal ureter without obstruction when inserted through the opening.

In addition, the artificial kidney and artificial bladder are characterized in that they can be manufactured to have an external shape and internal structure similar to actual organs based on an individual's CT or MRI measurement data.

In addition, the artificial kidney and artificial bladder are characterized in that they can be manufactured in a form suitable for surgical practice by changing the size, shape, position, and inclination of the actual organ.

In addition, the artificial organs in the simulator are characterized in that they can be manufactured by casting or 3D printing.

The artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training according to the present invention has an artificial kidney covered with surrounding tissues, so that a tactile sensation similar to a real one can be felt, and since ultrasound can be used, a surgical screen and surgical site similar to a real situation can be implemented.

In addition, by using a customized artificial organ simulator based on the patient's medical information, not only ECIRS but also PCNL and RIRS training is possible, so medical accidents can be prevented in advance through various training sessions.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the composition of the invention described in the claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training.
Figure 2 is a plan view showing an artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the artificial organ simulator.
Figure 4 is a diagram demonstrating how users can take ultrasound images of an artificial kidney using ultrasound diagnostic equipment.
Figure 5 is a drawing showing the connection between an artificial proximal ureter and an artificial distal ureter.
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a customized artificial kidney manufactured based on a patient's actual data.

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives to the embodiments are included within the scope of the patent application.

The terms used in the examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood to not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training, which is one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an artificial organ simulator (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an artificial kidney (10), an artificial ureter (20), an artificial bladder (30), and a base (40) embedded in surrounding tissue.

Artificial kidney

As shown in Fig. 1, the artificial kidney (10) is a component that simulates a human kidney, i.e., a kidney, and is provided embedded in the surrounding tissues by being positioned inside a case. However, if necessary, it may be provided without a case or incision surgery practice may be performed with the case open.

Additionally, the artificial kidney (10) may be provided as a pair of left and right kidneys, similar to real organs, or may be provided on only one side.

According to one embodiment, the artificial kidney (10) can be manufactured from a hydrogel composition comprising 1 to 6 wt% of agarose, 8 to 25 wt% of acrylamide, 0.004 to 0.05 wt% of N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide), 0.02 to 0.5 wt% of ammonium persulfate, and 70 to 90 wt% of water, based on the total weight of the composition.

The hydrogel composition forming the above artificial kidney (10) can be used to manufacture an artificial ureter (20) and an artificial bladder (30) in addition to the artificial kidney (10) by changing the composition ratio, and since it has a texture similar to an actual organ, it can be preferably used for practice such as incision surgery by a trainee doctor.

In particular, an artificial kidney (10) made of a hydrogel composition additionally containing an alginate component can be usefully used for practicing electrocautery surgery.

For this purpose, the hydrogel composition for artificial kidney may further include 0.5 to 5 wt%, preferably 1 to 4 wt%, of alginate relative to the total weight of the composition.

One embodiment of a method for manufacturing an artificial kidney (10) using the above hydrogel composition may proceed including the following steps (a) to (d).

(a) A step of obtaining DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) data by taking a CT or MRI image of a human organ;

(b) a step of manufacturing an artificial organ mold using a 3D printer using the above DICOM data;

(c) a step of injecting the hydrogel for artificial organ connective tissue of the present invention into the artificial organ mold; and

(d) a step of removing the mold after hardening the injected hydrogel;

At this time, steps (a) and (b) can be performed by a method known in the art, and step (c) can be performed by, for example, injecting the hydrogel of the present invention into a lower mold, positioning the inner mold in the injected hydrogel, combining the upper mold with the lower mold, and injecting the remaining hydrogel into a hydrogel injection port formed in the upper mold.

The curing in the above step (d) can be accomplished by thermal curing, and the thermal curing temperature can be performed within the range of 70 to 90°C.

Meanwhile, the method for manufacturing the artificial kidney (10) has been described according to the casting method, but the 3D printing method, which is not only applicable to various materials but also advantageous for manufacturing patient-specific artificial organs, can also be applied to the manufacturing of artificial organs, including the artificial kidney (10) of the present invention.

Meanwhile, in order to enable the practitioner to feel a realistic tactile sensation when practicing a kidney incision surgery, the artificial kidney (10) may be provided covered by surrounding tissue.

The composition forming the above-mentioned surrounding tissue contains acrylamide and agarose as main ingredients, and may additionally contain glycerol as needed. The surrounding tissue manufactured from the composition is characterized by being very soft, so that the practitioner can feel a tactile sensation similar to that of the actual tissue.

The above artificial kidney (10) can be manufactured by including an artificial organ connective tissue formed from a hydrogel composition containing agarose, acrylamide, N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide), ammonium persulfate, and water.

Meanwhile, the artificial kidney (10) can form an ultrasound image by including a dispersant exhibiting high echo characteristics in the hydrogel composition.

That is, while conventional artificial kidneys were made of uniform artificial materials and thus were unable to create density differences, making it very difficult to implement sound reflection and absorption characteristics, the artificial kidney (10) of the present invention additionally includes a dispersant exhibiting high echo characteristics, thereby enabling the image inside the kidney to be reproduced identically to reality during ultrasound imaging.

Examples of the dispersant include glass fiber, cellulose-based dispersant, etc., and it is preferable to add 0.1 to 5 wt% of the dispersant based on the total weight of the artificial kidney hydrogel composition to achieve a high echo effect.

Referring to Fig. 4, for ultrasound imaging, the practitioner moves the ultrasound probe on the case (11) to capture an ultrasound image of the artificial kidney (10).

At this time, artificial skin (12) can be installed on the surface of the case (11) so that the movement of the ultrasonic probe can be provided with a tactile sensation similar to that of moving on actual human skin.

The above artificial skin (12) can be manufactured with the same composition as other organs, including artificial kidneys.

Meanwhile, an artificial stone (13) can be accommodated inside the artificial kidney (10), which allows the practitioner to practice endoscopic renal incisional nephrectomy (ECIRS, PCNL), which is a surgery to remove or crush the stone.

The above artificial stones (13) can be placed in multiples as needed, and can be manufactured from various materials so as to reproduce the density, hardness, chemical reactivity, etc. of actual stones, and can preferably be manufactured by mixing gypsum, calcium oxalate, and calcium phosphate.

Artificial ureter

The artificial ureter (20) is a cylindrical member that simulates the ureter of the human body, and like the artificial kidney (10), it can be configured as a pair, with one end connected to the artificial kidney (10) and the other end connected to the artificial bladder (30).

Through the above artificial ureter (20), the endoscopic sheath can reach the internal structure of the artificial kidney (10).

According to one embodiment, the artificial ureter (20) is preferably manufactured by dividing it into two parts, an artificial proximal ureter (21) and an artificial distal ureter (22), but may be manufactured as an integral part without division as needed.

At this time, the part of the artificial ureter (20) connected to the artificial kidney (10) is called an artificial proximal ureter (21), and the part connected to the artificial bladder (30) is called an artificial distal ureter (22). These are terms used to conveniently distinguish each part.

One side of the artificial proximal ureter (21) is connected to the inside of a case containing an artificial kidney (10) and is combined with the artificial kidney (10), and the other side of the artificial proximal ureter (21) can be connected to an artificial distal ureter (22), but the artificial distal ureter (22) does not necessarily have to be provided.

That is, in order to suit the purpose of the practice, an artificial organ simulator (1) in which the artificial distal ureter (22) and the artificial bladder (30) are removed from the artificial organ simulator (1) of FIG. 1 may be provided to the user.

The above artificial ureter (20) may be made of the same material as the artificial kidney (10) described above, or may be made with the same components but with a different composition ratio.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent the artificial proximal ureter (21) from moving excessively when an endoscope system is inserted, the artificial proximal ureter (21) may be fixed by a ureter holder (41) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but the holder (41) is not necessarily required.

The artificial proximal ureter (21) and the artificial kidney (10) can be manufactured to be connected and separated from each other, but it is preferable to manufacture them as an integral part to prevent leakage, etc. from occurring through the connection part.

Meanwhile, the artificial kidney (10) and artificial proximal ureter (21) can be detached and attached from the base (40), so they can be replaced with new ones as needed to perform surgical practice.

For example, after surgical practice such as nephrectomy, needle-assisted surgery, or kidney stone crushing, the damaged artificial kidney (10) can be replaced with a new artificial kidney (10) for practice.

Referring to Fig. 5, the other side of the artificial proximal ureter (21) can be connected to the artificial distal ureter (22) by a connecting member (23) made of silicone material, and the connecting member (23) is more firmly connected by a fixing cap (24) so that water can be well contained without leakage when water is filled inside the artificial organ.

At this time, the fixed cap (24) is preferably made of plastic material to maintain sturdiness, but the material is not limited to rubber, silicone, etc.

The above proximal ureter (21) and distal ureter (22) can be manufactured to have an inner diameter, outer diameter, and thickness suitable for various surgical practices according to the skill level of the practitioner, and can be manufactured to have the same specifications as the ureter inside the human body based on actual patient data.

Artificial Bladder

The artificial bladder (30) is a pocket-shaped member having an internal space that mimics the shape of a human bladder, and is connected to an artificial distal ureter (22) on one side, and has an opening formed on the other side in the opposite direction through which an endoscope sheath can be introduced inside, or can be connected to a urethra (not shown).

At this time, the artificial bladder (30) can be manufactured as an integral part connected to the artificial distal ureter (22), and can be manufactured in a form that can be separated from the artificial distal ureter (22) as needed, but it is preferable to manufacture it as an integral part to prevent leakage.

Meanwhile, the artificial bladder (30) may be made of the same or similar material as the artificial kidney (10) described above, and a bladder support (42) may be installed to limit the movement of the artificial bladder (30).

The above bladder support (42) is made of plastic material and soft silicone material, so that when a rigid sheath is inserted through the urethra, it can enter the artificial proximal ureter (21) without obstruction.

The integrated artificial bladder (30) and artificial distal ureter (22) can be designed to be easily detachable from the bladder holder (42), and even in the case of an artificial organ simulator in which the artificial bladder (30) and artificial distal ureter (22) have been removed, the practitioner can practice percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) surgery using the remaining artificial kidney (10).

Of course, PCNL surgical practice is possible even when an artificial bladder (30) and an artificial distal ureter (22) are installed.

Here, PCNL surgery refers to a surgery that removes stones in the kidney by making a small hole directly into the kidney through the skin and inserting an endoscope.

Meanwhile, by using an artificial organ simulator including an artificial distal ureter (22) and an artificial bladder (30), trainees can practice retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and ECIRS in addition to PCNL.

Here, RIRS refers to a surgery that removes stones in the kidney using an endoscope, and ECIRS refers to a surgery that removes stones in the kidney using both an endoscopic and percutaneous approach.

In this way, practitioners can use the single artificial organ simulator (1) of the present invention to train in advance for various kidney surgeries, such as PCNL and RIRS, in addition to ECIRS practice, thereby preventing medical accidents.

In particular, the artificial kidney (10) and artificial bladder (30) manufactured based on CT or MRI measurement data of an actual patient, as shown in Fig. 6, have an external shape or internal structure very similar to that of an actual organ, so that practitioners can practice kidney surgery under the same conditions before an actual surgery, and as a result, the possibility of surgical failure is greatly reduced.

Meanwhile, the size, shape, position, and inclination of the artificial kidney (10) and artificial bladder (30) can be freely modified, so that various surgical practices can be performed by adjusting the difficulty of the surgery according to the skill level of the practitioner.

Within the scope of the basic technical concepts of the present invention, as described above, it is expected that various modifications will be possible for those skilled in the art. For example, appropriate results can be achieved even if the disclosed methods are performed in a different order, components of the disclosed systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are combined or combined in a different manner, or replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents.

1: Artificial Organ Simulator
10: Artificial kidney
11: Case
12: Artificial skin
13: Artificial stones
20: Artificial ureter
21: Artificial proximal ureter
22: Artificial distal ureter
23: Connecting member
24: Fixed cap
30: Artificial bladder
40: Base
41: Ureteral holder
42: Bladder holder

Claims (12)

An artificial kidney covered with surrounding tissue that provides a realistic feel;
An artificial ureter connected at one end to the artificial kidney; and
An artificial bladder connected to the other side of the artificial ureter and capable of being detached;
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training that allows trainees to practice Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS), Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (ECIRS), and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training, characterized in that the surrounding tissue is manufactured from a composition including acrylamide and agarose. In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training, characterized in that the artificial organ comprises connective tissue formed from a hydrogel composition containing agarose, acrylamide, N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide), ammonium persulfate, and water. In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training, characterized in that the artificial kidney is positioned inside a case and an ultrasound probe can be moved on the case to take ultrasound images of the artificial kidney. In paragraph 4,
An artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training, characterized in that artificial skin is installed on the surface of the case so that the movement of the ultrasound probe can provide a tactile sensation similar to that of moving on actual human skin. In the first paragraph,
An artificial stone can be accommodated inside the artificial kidney.
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training, characterized in that a trainee can practice surgery to remove or crush the above stones. In the first paragraph,
The above artificial ureter includes an artificial proximal ureter and an artificial distal ureter,
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training, characterized in that the proximal ureter and the distal ureter are fixed by a silicone connecting member and a fixing cap. In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training, characterized in that the simulator can be reused by replacing it with a new artificial kidney and artificial proximal ureter after surgical practice. In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for renal surgery training, characterized in that the artificial bladder is placed on a bladder holder made of plastic and soft silicone, and a rigid endoscopic sheath can be inserted into the proximal ureter without obstruction when inserted through the opening. In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training, characterized in that the artificial kidney and artificial bladder can be manufactured to have an external shape and internal structure similar to an actual organ based on an individual's CT or MRI measurement data. In the first paragraph,
The artificial kidney and artificial bladder are artificial organ simulators for kidney surgery training, characterized in that they can be manufactured in a form suitable for surgical practice by modifying the size, shape, position, and inclination of actual organs. In the first paragraph,
An artificial organ simulator for kidney surgery training, characterized in that the artificial organ in the simulator can be manufactured by casting or 3D printing.