Synthetic Tissue Trainer

The Air Force Medical Modeling & Simulation Program has a need for synthetic tissue trainers that replicate live tissues and anatomy. Project targets replacing expensive and often objectionable live animal training. The work will be based on the trainer that was produced during Phase I. The developed trainers will replicate segments of human anatomy and will comprise multiple modular components simulating human organs. These models of human organs will be produced from polymers that closely imitate the tensile, lubricious and other important properties of live tissues, including skin, fascia, fat, muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, blood vessel, nerve, intestine, and organ (lung, liver, bladder, etc.) tissue. The models will have the tactile response characteristics of their biological prototypes. In addition, the targeted models will be able to simulate blood circulation and massive hemorrhage, as well as such physiological parameters as blood flow, pressure, and pulse. All the synthetic tissue trainer components will be mass producible and completely or partially reusable and replaceable, allowing for multiple individuals training sessions. The trainers will support tissue-tool surgery with the same surgical equipment required for live tissue procedures (scalpel, sutures, retractors, Bovie). It will be possible to imitate both laparoscopic and open surgery procedures.