In-house Design and Construction of the Toronto Lap-Nissen Simulator

Abstract

Simulators for surgical trainees are utilized to improve laparoscopic technical skills. Following the request and directions from Dr. Hideki Ujiie and Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku's team, Maciej Bauer and Gad Acosta from the Surgical Support Group, Medical Engineering Department at the UHN, designed and constructed the Toronto Lap-Nissen Simulator. As an in-house team, close collaboration and fluent communication was established with the clinical team, which enabled an efficient progression from the prototypes to the model used during actual training. The desired outcome was to produce an inexpensive and relevant training model. The objective of this presentation is to illustrate the design process, methods and materials used for the construction of the Toronto Lap-Nissen Simulator. The technical aspects for this device will be discussed.