Laparoscopic Instrument Holders for Surgical SImulation and Training

Abstract

Innovative instrument holders used for minimally invasive surgical simulation and training are disclosed when used in conjunction with a smartphone, tablet or mini-tablet computer enabling visualization of the surgical field. The surgical field used with these instrument holders can include animal models, physical models, and both virtual and augmented reality models. Some embodiments can be used with applications that can be downloaded to the smartphone, tablet or mini-tablet computer in order to enhance specific hand-eye coordination tasks. Some embodiments can be used as an adjunct surgical trainer for endoscopy, colonoscopy, and other minimally invasive gastrointestinal and gynecological surgical procedures using surgical instruments that incorporate fiber optics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical simulation and training system comprising:
 a stand supporting a video camera and right and left laparoscopic instrument holders wherein said stand can be moved to enlarge the visual field of said camera and said stand remains stable during movement of said laparoscopic instrument holders;   a target comprising a physical model, animal model, physical model of the human anatomy, or virtual model of the human anatomy and combinations thereof;   a monitor displaying the visual field of said video camera focused on said target;   a said left and a right laparoscopic instrument holder, each with a proximal end and a distal end, where said distal end of said instrument holder terminates in a ball joint and said proximal end is attached to said video camera case, and said ball joint of said instrument holder has a completely penetrating hole sized to accommodate the diameter and free rotation of the shaft of a laparoscopic surgical instrument including a laparoscopic instrument used with a trocar.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical simulation and training system comprising:
 a stand supporting a left and a right laparoscopic instrument holder and a device 1 with an internal video camera chosen from the group consisting of a cell phone, smart phone, tablet and mini-tablet computer, where said stand can be moved to enlarge the visual field of said device 1 internal camera and said stand remains stable during movement of said laparoscopic instrument holders;   a target comprising a living animal, physical model of the human anatomy, or virtual model of the human anatomy and combinations thereof;   a monitor displaying the visual field of said device 1 internal camera focused on said target;   a said left and a right laparoscopic instrument holder, each with a proximal end and a distal end, where said distal end of said instrument holder terminates in a ball joint and said proximal end is attached to said device 1 case, and said ball joint of said instrument holder has a completely penetrating hole sized to accommodate the diameter and free rotation of the shaft of a laparoscopic surgical instrument including a laparoscopic instrument used with a trocar.   a said left and a right laparoscopic instrument holder wherein the size and shape of said instrument holder arms are designed to preserve a nominal spacing of surgical instrument tips in said target visual field as used in real laparoscopic surgeries that is nominally 10 cm.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 2 , wherein said device 1 is placed in a holder attached to said support stand with said left and right laparoscopic instrument holders attached to said holder along said proximal ends of said laparoscopic instrument holders. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 2 , wherein said left and said right laparoscopic instrument holders are attached at said proximal edges. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 2 , wherein said right laparoscopic instrument holder is longer than said left laparoscopic instrument holder and said right laparoscopic instrument holder is angled inward toward said target visual field. 
     
     
         6 . A surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 2  wherein software applications can be downloaded to said device 1 permitting games to be played using said controller to promote development of relevant hand-eye coordination skills in various minimally invasive surgical scenarios and entertainment game scenarios 
     
     
         7 . A surgical simulation and training system comprising:
 a device  2  chosen from the group consisting of a cell phone, smartphone, tablet and mini-tablet computer fixed to a central support structure, where said central support structure is pivoted allowing rotation of said central support structure about a single axis defined by a shaft joining the central support structure to a concentric, externally mounted first ring;   a game controller joystick in a fixed orientation within 45 degrees of the outwardly facing normal to said device 2, wherein said controller is grasped by the user and induces motion of said central support structure, and wherein said controller is chosen from the group consisting of a stylus, the eyepiece assembly of a fiber optic surgical scope, and a surgical tool adapter;   a first ring concentric with and mounted external to said central support structure where said first ring is pivoted with respect to said central support structure allowing rotation of said first ring about a single axis orthogonal to said central support structure;   a second ring concentric with and mounted external to said first ring that is pivoted with respect to said first ring allowing rotation of said second ring about a single axis orthogonal to said central support structure and said first ring;   a support frame concentric with and external to said central support structure, said first ring, and said second ring, where said support frame remains stationary during induced motion by said game controller and permits independent rotation of said first ring, said second ring and said central support structure about orthogonal axes and access and movement of said controller by the user is unimpeded.   
     
     
         8 . A surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 7  wherein said device 2 is replaced by a three axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         9 . A surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 7  wherein software applications can be downloaded to said device 2 permitting games to be played using said controller to promote development of relevant hand-eye coordination skills in various minimally invasive surgical scenarios and entertainment game scenarios. 
     
     
         10 . A surgical simulation and training system recited in  claim 7 , wherein said stand is comprised of a base parallel to the ground plane and said support frame attached to said base wherein said support frame is at an angle with respect to said base to approximate a plane tangent to a body contour.