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Vascular Shunting and Anastomosis Simulator

This invention is a surgical simulator that allows hands-on surgical training using techniques of vascular shunt and anastomosis to save life and limb. This anatomically accurate simulator is designed to be cost effective and requires minimal consumables.

Applications and Advantages

  • Military field training tool for surgeons 
  • Training on shunting, end-to-end anastomosis, thrombectomy, and other vascular procedures
  • Anatomically accurate, life sized, reusable surgical simulator with minimal consumable needs 
  • Provides proper surgical orientation and holds simulated blood for in-use recycling 
  • User friendly and quick to set up for use between learners

Innovation Description

This project was sponsored by the Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences (USU) and was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Mark Bowyer, USU Professor of Surgery and Surgical Director of Simulation. The rate of vascular injury in modern combat is 12% (five times greater than previous conflicts) with up to 80% of these injuries occurring in the extremity vessels. However, most deployed non-vascular or non-cardiothoracic surgeons have limited recent experience in vascular surgery. Therefore, there remains a pressing need to develop surgical training tools for treating vascular injury in the battlefield.

An HJF inventor has developed a vascular shunting and anastomosis hemorrhage control simulator that allows hands-on surgical training using techniques of vascular shunt and anastomosis to save life and limb. This anatomically accurate simulator is designed to be cost effective and requires minimal consumables. The base of the simulators provides proper surgical orientation and holds simulated blood for in-use recycling throughout the simulated procedure.

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