Development and validation of synthetic bone and soft tissue analogues for surgical training (Phase I)

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Our team has developed a synthetic bone analogue that mimics the tactile feel of bone when using orthopaedic instruments. Residents can use this training system to learn and practice key orthopaedic skills. To date, surgical training has usually occurred on patients in a master-apprentice model. However, physical and virtual simulators are increasingly seen as essential to a resident's education, to improve patient safety and for more efficient learning. To be effective, they must realistically represent the key features and must be validated. In addition to feeling more like bone than existing models, our models represent a harder outer cortical layer, softer, inner cancellous bone, and a transition between the two. The material properties can be tuned such that they represent weak (osteoporotic), normal or strong bone, and can be shaped in normal or abnormal geometry, and can be seen realistically in an X-ray. Three applications include: pedicle screw placement training for spinal surgery, knee replacement surgery training, and biomechanical testing of implants and instruments. Collaborating with our technology transfer office, Innovate Calgary, our team consists of engineers, a spinal surgeon/entrepreneur, business professor/entrepreneur, biochemist, veterinary anaesthesiologist/educator and artist. End users interested in using the bone models include orthopaedic companies, academic training centres and researchers. The purpose of the proposed research is to: improve the models based on user feedback; create new bone models; reduce manufacturing costs further (they are already inexpensive, but could be even more so with automation); add realistic soft tissues; create validated teaching modules; validate the models mechanically and with orthopaedic residents; and test business assumptions. Our goal is to use the results of this research to create a spin-off company, benefiting Canada and improving patient safety.