# US 9,437,119 B1 · Method for fabricating simulated tissue structures by means of multi material 3D printing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,437,119 B1 - Document ID: US9437119B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/889,494 - Filed: 2013-05-08 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-08 - Assignees: Bioniko Consulting, LLC - Applicants: Bioniko Consulting LLC - Inventors: Andres Bernal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437119B1 ## CPC - G09B 23/34: with removable parts - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract A synthetic eye model includes an enclosed lens capsule, a removable cortex material within the lens capsule, and an outer support for the lens capsule. A synthetic eye model assembly includes an eye segment comprising a lens capsule and an outer support and a base for detachably engaging the eye segment. The synthetic eye model and assembly can be made by 3D printing. A method of practicing eye surgery and a method of making a three-dimensional synthetic tissue model of an anatomical tissue structure are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A synthetic surgical eye model assembly, comprising: an anterior eye segment; and, a base for detachably engaging the anterior eye segment anteriorly and posteriorly; wherein at least the anterior eye segment comprises at least two structures, and at least one of the structures has a hardness below Shore A 95, and the other of the structures has a hardness above Shore D 20, and at least the anterior eye segment is manufactured by a multimaterial 3D printing process and, wherein the anterior eye segment comprises a lens capsule filled with support material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a flexible material with a central opening, the central opening having a diameter less than the diameter of the anterior eye segment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a socket, the socket defining a flexible back wall, a flexible socket protrusion and a space for receiving and securing the anterior eye segment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 3, wherein the flexible socket protrusion comprises flexible flaps. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 3, where the flexible back wall of the socket embeds a rigid member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 1, wherein an anterior portion of the base is modeled after the anterior portion of a human orbit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 1, wherein the anterior eye segment comprises an outer support and the outer support has a durometer above Shore D20. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The synthetic surgical eye model assembly of claim 1, wherein one structure of the eye segment is an outer support with a hardness above D20, and further comprising a capsule central to the outer support having a hardness below Shore A95. ### Claim 9 A synthetic surgical eye model assembly, comprising: an anterior eye segment; and, a base for detachably engaging the anterior eye segment anteriorly and posteriorly; wherein at least the anterior eye segment comprises at least two structures, and at least one of the structures has a hardness below Shore A 95, and the other of the structures has a hardness above Shore D 20, and at least the anterior eye segment is manufactured by a multimaterial 3D printing process and; wherein one structure of the eye segment is an outer support with a hardness above D20, and further comprising a capsule central to the outer support having a hardness below Shore A95, wherein the capsule surrounds a solid destructively removable cortex which comprises at least 20% of 3D printing support material. ### Claim 10 A synthetic surgical eye model assembly, comprising: an anterior eye segment; and, a base for detachably engaging the anterior eye segment anteriorly and posteriorly; wherein at least the anterior eye segment comprises at least two structures, and at least one of the structures has a hardness below Shore A 95, and the other of the structures has a hardness above Shore D 20, and at least the anterior eye segment is manufactured by a multimaterial 3D printing process and; wherein the anterior eye segment comprises an outer support and the outer support has a durometer above ShoreD20, further comprising an anteriorly extending circumferential ridge extending anteriorly from the outer support and having a hardness below Shore A95. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 10, further comprising a synthetic corneal button, the corneal button having a posterior edge and the circumferential ridge having an anterior edge, the posterior edge of the corneal button mating with the anterior edge of the circumferential ridge. ### Claim 12 A method of practicing eye surgery techniques on a model of the eye, comprising the steps of: providing a synthetic eye model kit, comprising a plurality of anterior eye segments printed by a multi-material 3D printing process; further comprising a base, the base comprising structure for detachably engaging the anterior eye segments, the method further comprising the step of detachably securing the anterior eye segment to the base, the base comprising a portion for engaging a surface of the anterior eye segment; practicing surgery on the anterior eye segment, then removing the anterior eye segment from the base and then attaching another anterior eye segment to the base, wherein the anterior eye segment comprises a capsule filled with destructively removable cortex material made of 3D printed support material, the method further comprising the step of removal of the support material from the capsule. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of practicing eye surgery of claim 12, wherein the anterior segment comprises an outer support. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of practicing eye surgery of claim 12, wherein an anterior portion of the base is modeled after the anterior portion of a human orbit, the method further comprising the step of practicing eye surgery while negotiating modeled structures of the human orbit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of practicing eye surgery of claim 12, further comprising a circumferential ridge extending anteriorly from the outer support, the method further comprising the step of practicing surgery through incisions created on the circumferential ridge. ### Claim 16 A method of practicing eye surgery techniques on a model of the eye, comprising the steps of: providing a synthetic eye model kit, comprising a plurality of anterior eye segments printed by a multi-material 3D printing process; further comprising a base, the base comprising structure for detachably engaging the anterior eye segments, the method further comprising the step of detachably securing the anterior eye segment to the base, the base comprising a portion for engaging a surface of the anterior eye segment; practicing surgery on the anterior eye segment, then removing the anterior eye segment from the base and then attaching another anterior eye segment to the base, further comprising a synthetic cornea, the corneal button having a posterior edge and the anterior eye segment having a circumferential ridge having an anterior edge, the posterior edge of the corneal button mating with and detachably engaging the anterior edge of the circumferential ridge, the method further comprising the step of attaching the synthetic corneal button to the circumferential ridge. ### Claim 17 A method of practicing eye surgery techniques on a model of the eye, comprising the steps of: providing a synthetic eye model kit, comprising a plurality of anterior eye segments printed by a multi-material 3D printing process; further comprising a base, the base comprising structure for detachably engaging the anterior eye segments, the method further comprising the step of detachably securing the anterior eye segment to the base, the base comprising a portion for engaging a surface of the anterior eye segment; practicing surgery on the anterior eye segment, then removing the anterior eye segment from the base and then attaching another anterior eye segment to the base, wherein the anterior eye segment further comprises a capsule filled with destructively removable cortex material made of 3D printed support material, the method further comprising the step of peeling the capsule off the cortex. ### Claim 18 A synthetic surgical eye model, comprising an outer support, further comprising a flexible circumferential ridge extending anteriorly from the outer support, wherein the circumferential ridge and outer support have different material types and are monolithic and printed by a multimaterial 3D printing process, further comprising: an enclosed lens capsule central to the outer support; a solid destructively removable cortex material within the lens capsule; wherein the lens capsule, cortex material and outer support have different material types and are monolithic and printed by a multimaterial 3D printing process. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The synthetic eye model of claim 18, wherein the cortex material is at least 20% support material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 18, wherein the outer support and anterior ridge comprise an eye segment. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 20, further comprising a base for the eye segment. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 21, wherein the base comprises structure for detachably engaging the outer support. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 22, wherein the detachable engagement structure comprises a flexible material with a central opening, the central opening having a diameter less than the diameter of the outer support. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 21, wherein an anterior portion of the base is modeled after the anterior portion of a human orbit. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 22, wherein the detachable engagement structure comprises a socket, the socket defining a back wall, a flexible socket protrusion and a space for receiving and securing the eye segment. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 18, wherein the outer support has a hardness that is above Shore D 20 and the circumferential ridge has a hardness below Shore A95. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 18, wherein the capsule has a hardness that is at least Shore A 50 and below Shore A 95. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) The synthetic surgical eye model of claim 18, further comprising a synthetic corneal button, the corneal button having a posterior edge and the circumferential ridge having an anterior edge, the posterior edge of the corneal button mating with the anterior edge of the circumferential ridge.