Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Kindheart, Inc.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

W Andrew Grubbs

Richard Harry Feins

Samuel David Drew

John D Alexander

John Alexander

Alexander McLain Grubbs

Matthew M Dedmon

Daniel Carmine Fuccella

Tom Birchard

Don Aikin

Morgan Dominice Moore

Kaity Yu Emerson

Allen Wendell Moore

Samuel C Felts

Kevin R Simpson

Megan Harrison Dew

Megan Harrision Dew

Modified animal tissues, organs, and organ systems for use in simulated surgical procedures are disclosed. The tissues, organs, and/or organ systems can be modified by enhancing their electrical conductivity, by including simulated contents mimicking what would normally be present in live animals, and by having fake blood perfusing through them. Portions of different tissues, organs, or organ systems, which can be from the same or different animals, can be adhered to provide hybrid/chimeric tissues, organs, or organ systems, and also used for simulated surgical procedures. These modifications can provide surgeons with a more realistic experience during a simulated surgical procedure.

Modified animal organs for use in surgical simulators

Artificial blood compositions for use in simulated surgery, and kits including the compositions, are disclosed. sues, organs, and organ blocks which include dissolvable clots are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods for carrying out simulated surgical procedures using the compositions, tissues, organs, organ blocks, and kits described herein.

Fake blood for use in simulated surgical procedures

A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue repurposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of abdominal hernias, affixed into an anatomically correct silicon framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to correct the pathologic condition caused by the hernia. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed 'plate,' which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework, and is adapted for connection to a grounding device so the surgeon can use cautery during the simulated hernia repair. The cassette can be positioned inside a manikin, and can be used to train surgeons to repair human hernias using multiple techniques, including robot assisted and laparoscopic methods.

Abdominal hernia simulation model for surgical training

Artificial blood compositions for use in simulated surgery, and kits including the compositions, are disclosed. Tissues, organs, and organ blocks which include dissolvable clots are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods for carrying out simulated surgical procedures using the compositions, tissues, organs, organ blocks, and kits described herein.

A telerobotic surgery system includes a robotic surgery station having a first pair of robot arms, each carrying a laparoscopic tool and each having a robot arm drive. A first controller is connected to each robot arm drive. Harvested animal tissue is at the robotic surgery station. A remote surgeon station includes a second pair of robot arms, each carrying a laparoscopic tool and each having a robot arm drive. A second controller receives data regarding movement of the second pair of robot arms and respective laparoscopic tool based on user manipulation of each laparoscopic tool at the remote surgeon station. A communications network couples the first and second controllers with the second controller operative as a master and the first controller configured to control each robot arm drive and effect one-to-one movement of the first pair of robot arms and carried laparoscopic tools as a slave.

Telerobotic surgery system using minimally invasive surgical tool with variable force scaling and feedback and relayed communications between remote surgeon and surgery station

A surgical simulation device includes a support structure and animal tissue carried in a tray. A simulated human skeleton is carried by the support structure above the animal tissue and includes simulated human skin. A camera images the animal tissue and an image processor receives images of markers positioned on the ribs and animal tissue and forms a three-dimensional wireframe image. An operating table is adjacent a local robotic surgery station as part of a robotic surgery station and includes at least one patient support configured to support the patient during robotic surgery. At least one patient force/torque sensor is coupled to the at least one patient support and configured to sense at least one of force and torque experienced by the patient during robotic surgery.

Surgical simulation system using force sensing and optical tracking and robotic surgery system

A surgical simulation device may include a support structure, a tray carried by the support structure, and animal tissue carried by the tray. A simulated human skeleton portion may be carried by the support structure above the animal tissue, and simulated human skin covers the simulated human skeleton portion. The support structure may permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the tray relative to the support structure to thereby permit selective horizontal and vertical positioning of the animal tissue relative to the simulated human skeleton portion and simulated human skin.

Surgical simulation system and associated methods

This invention is directed to a modular staged simulator and a process of simulating medical trauma and maladies for the purpose of training or certifying individuals including medical professionals. More specifically, this disclosure relates to ex vivo training exercises as opposed to traditional forms of training using intact cadavers, in vivo surgery on animal subjects; and supervised apprenticeship performing surgery on human subjects with trauma or maladies under the watch of a skilled medical practitioner.

Modular staged reality simulator

A surgical simulation assembly is provided for simulating realistic surgery on animal organs or human cadavers. The surgical simulation assembly comprises a generally flat tray having a central indentation for receiving an organ, at least one drainage aperture and at least one indented trough extending from the central indentation for receiving at least one tube. The tray is assembled with a simulator heart and lungs prepped for connection to a variable speed double action air pump assembly that creates both positive pressure and a vacuum on the heart to simulate a beating heart. The tray is supported on a basket having a lower containment portion for containing fluid waste collected during the simulated surgery. The basket is elevated by risers over a base designed to support the assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

W Andrew Grubbs