In-situ training apparatus, method and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10650704-B2
Application number	US-201916378819-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 9, 2019
Priority date	Oct 10, 2016
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

A training device simulating ablation of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. A heating apparatus includes an upper surface. A lower plate is provided on the upper surface of the heating apparatus. An upper substantially transparent plate is fixed by a frame above the lower plate. The upper plate is etched with an outline of a vertebral body. Fixed in position proximate the lower frame, the upper plate holds a biological material compressed between the plates. Tool-holding clamps, attached to the frame, are positioned to insert a surgical tool, in a proper location and orientation, into the biological material between the upper and lower plates.

First claim

I claim:

1. An in-situ training apparatus simulating ablation of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, the apparatus comprising:
a heating apparatus including an upper surface;
a lower plate provided on the upper surface of the heating apparatus;
an upper plate etched with an outline of one of the adjacent vertebral bodies; and
wherein the upper plate is supported proximate the lower plate, and a biological material can be positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a support structure, a portion of the support structure supporting the upper plate in position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the support structure includes a base and a frame, the base supporting the heating apparatus and the frame thereon, and the frame supporting the upper plate in a position proximate the lower plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the support structure includes a frame for supporting the upper plate in a position proximate the lower plate, the frame including at least one tool-holding clamp.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a cannula having an open distal end, wherein the at least one tool-holding clamp is configured to hold at least the cannula with the open distal end thereof pointing toward the biological material positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a trocar, wherein the cannula defines a lumen configured to receive the trocar therethrough, the trocar being insertable through the lumen and the open distal end into the biological material.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one tool-holding clamp is configured to hold at least an RF ablation device.

8. A method of simulating RF ablation of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising:
utilizing an in-situ training apparatus, the training apparatus comprising:
a heating apparatus including an upper surface;
a lower plate provided on the upper surface of the heating apparatus;
an upper plate etched with an outline of one of the adjacent vertebral bodies; and
a tool holding clamp positioned proximate the upper plate;
wherein the upper plate is supported proximate the lower plate, and a biological material can be positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate;

placing the biological material on the lower plate;
fixing the upper plate in position above the lower plate, thereby holding the biological material therebetween;
locking at least a cannula in place in the at least one tool-holding clamp, the at least a cannula including an axial lumen and an open distal end, configured for insertion of a trocar therethrough;
inserting a trocar through the lumen and the open distal end of the at least one cannula, and into the biological matter.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising locking at least an RF ablation probe in the at least one holding clamp.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising heating the biological material with the heating apparatus to a temperature simulating human body temperature.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a support structure, a portion of the support structure supporting the upper plate in position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the support structure includes a base and a frame, the base supporting the heating apparatus and the frame thereon, and the frame supporting the upper plate in a position proximate the lower plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the support structure includes a frame for supporting the upper plate in a position proximate the lower plate, the frame including at least one tool-holding clamp.

14. An in-situ training apparatus simulating ablation of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, the apparatus comprising:
a lower plate;
an upper plate etched with an outline of one of the adjacent vertebral bodies; and
a support structure configured to support the upper plate;
wherein the support structure supports the upper plate in a position above the lower plate, and a biological material can be held between the upper plate and the lower plate.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the support structure includes a base and a frame, the base supporting the frame thereon, and the frame supporting the upper plate in a position proximate the lower plate.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the support structure includes a frame for supporting the upper plate in a position proximate the lower plate.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the frame includes at least one tool-holding clamp.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a cannula having an open distal end, wherein the at least one tool-holding clamp is configured to hold at least the cannula with the open distal end thereof pointing toward the biological material held between the upper plate and the lower plate.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a trocar, wherein the cannula defines a lumen configured to receive the trocar therethrough, the trocar being insertable through the lumen and the open distal end into the biological material.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one tool-holding clamp is configured to hold at least an RF ablation device.

Assignees

• Medtronic Holding Co Sarl

Inventors

• Lee Stephen W

Classifications

• G09B23/285

  for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas · CPC title

• G09B23/306 Primary

  comprising real biological tissue · CPC title

• G09B9/00 Primary

  Simulators for teaching or training purposes (for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; {protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131}) · CPC title

• G09B19/24

  Use of tools · CPC title

• G09B23/28 Primary

  for medicine · CPC title