Thoracic Surgery Simulator

THORACIC SURGERY SIMULATOR

KINDHEART

A surgical simulator used for practicing thoracic surgeries with the da Vinci Surgical System.

Materials Research, Anatomy Research, CAD Modeling, Urethane and Silicone Casting, CNC Machining, Thermoforming, Custom Finishing

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

  • Anatomically correct model
  • Mount to hold porcine tissue
  • Materials properties closely matching flesh and bone
  • Easy to cleanup and reset for multiple surgeries

THORACIC SURGERY SIMULATOR

KINDHEART

A surgical simulator used for practicing thoracic surgeries with the da Vinci Surgical System.

Materials Research, Anatomy Research, CAD Modeling, Urethane and Silicone Casting, 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Thermoforming, Custom Finishing

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Anatomically correct model

Mount to hold porcine tissue

Materials properties closely matching flesh and bone

Easy to cleanup and reset for multiple surgeries

Resin Casting and 3D Printing for a Thoracic Surgery Simulator

KindHeart, a Chapel Hill startup, approached Touchstone 3D with the need for a life-like silicone body to house their real porcine tissue used during their surgical simulations. The product needed to be able to be used with the da Vinci Surgical System and be life-like enough to simulate true surgery.

Resin Casting and 3D Printing for a Thoracic Surgery Simulator

KindHeart, a Chapel Hill startup, approached Touchstone 3D with the need for a life-like silicone body to house their real porcine tissue used during their surgical simulations. The product needed to be able to be used with the da Vinci Surgical System and be life-like enough to simulate true surgery.

Touchstone 3D's engineers created the life-like patient torso as well as a mount for the porcine tissue to rest in using CAD software.

Kindheart 3D render of the Thoracic Surgery Simulator
Kindheart 3D render of the Thoracic Surgery Simulator

Touchstone 3D's engineers created the life-like patient torso as well as a mount for the porcine tissue to rest in using CAD software.

Skeleton

A preliminary model of the skeleton was produced to verify that the internal anatomy of the simulator would be accurate.

Skeleton

A preliminary model of the skeleton was produced to verify that the internal anatomy of the simulator would be accurate.

We then produced a number of models using a variety of in-house production techniques including: RTV casting, CNC routing, and thermoforming.

Model Tool for the Kindheart mannequin body
Model Tool for the Kindheart mannequin body

We then produced a number of models using a variety of in-house production techniques including: RTV casting, CNC routing, and thermoforming.

Casting Part of Rib Cage for Surgical Simulator

Special care was given to the materials selection for the simulator bones and flesh to provide a realistic experience for the surgeons. We designed mechanical joints and selected specific urethane to allow for life like movement in the rib cage.

Casting Part of Rib Cage for Surgical Simulator

Special care was given to the materials selection for the simulator bones and flesh to provide a realistic experience for the surgeons. We designed mechanical joints and selected specific urethane to allow for life like movement in the rib cage.

SURGERIES PERFORMED WITH THIS SIMULATOR:

Lymph node dissection

Fissure dissection

Vessel dissection

Left upper lobectomy

Stapler demonstration

Rubber Mannequin with da Vinci Surgical System
Rubber Mannequin with da Vinci Surgical System

SURGERIES PERFORMED WITH THIS SIMULATOR:

Lymph node dissection

Fissure dissection

Vessel dissection

Left upper lobectomy

Stapler demonstration