# US 9,520,073 B2 · Ex-vivo anatomic tissue specimen wound closure simulation model > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,520,073 B2 - Document ID: US9520073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/604,840 - Filed: 2015-01-26 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-26 - Assignees: Ethicon, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon, Inc. - Inventors: John Matonick; Matthew Pfefferkorn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520073B2 ## CPC - G09B 23/306: {comprising real biological tissue} - 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 novel system and apparatus for testing surgical fastening devices in an ex-vivo body wall wound closure simulation device is disclosed. The system is particularly useful with simulating abdominal wall wound closure. The system has a body wall curvature approximator device, a tissue fixation system, and a tissue support and tensioner device. The system provides for anatomically correct presentation and tensioning on body wall tissue specimens for ex-vivo wound closure simulation. The system may also be used for other anatomic tissue specimens in addition to body walls. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ex vivo anatomic tissue specimen simulation system, comprising: a tissue specimen curvature approximator device for a tissue specimen comprising an approximator member, the approximator member having opposed ends, a top surface having a curvature, and a bottom surface, wherein the curvature of the top surface corresponds to the curvature of a tissue specimen in vivo; and, a support structure mounted to the member; a tissue fixation system, comprising a pin rail, the pin rail having an elongated member with a plurality of tissue engagement pins mounted on a surface; and, a receiver rail for engaging the pin rail, the receiver rail having an elongated receiver rail member with at least one standoff member and at least one guide pin, and a groove along at least part of the length of the elongated member for receiving distal ends of the tissue engagement pins; and, a tissue support and tensioner device for receiving at least a part of the tissue fixation system, comprising at least one tissue support member having a curvature, the curvature corresponding to the curvature of a tissue specimen in vivo, a pair of end plate members mounted to the ends of the tissue support member, a pair of tensioning arms pivotally mounted to each plate member, and members extending from the lateral ends of the tensioning arms to receive at least a section of the receiver rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the approximator device has a flat bottom. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the end plate members are mounted to the ends of the approximator member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the approximator member additionally comprises a groove for receiving the receiver rail member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the pin rail member has at least one opening for receiving a guide pin member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, additionally comprising a screw member for securing the pin rail to the receiver rail. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the end plate members have a numbered grid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tensioning arms have an associated locking mechanism. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tensioner device comprises an accessible cavity below the tissue support member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising two tissue support members separated by an opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tissue specimen comprises a body wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tissue specimen comprises an abdominal wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method for simulating an ex-vivo anatomic tissue specimen wound closure using the system of claim 1, comprising: mounting a section of a tissue specimen onto the tissue specimen curvature approximator device, the tissue specimen having lateral sides; attaching a tissue fixation system to each lateral side of the tissue specimen; mounting the tissue specimen and each attached tissue fixation system to the tissue support and tensioning device and tensioning the tissue specimen using the tensioning arms; making an incision in at least one section of the tissue specimen; and, applying a tissue closure device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the tissue closure device is selected from the group consisting of surgical sutures, surgical staples, adhesives, glues, and tacks. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method for simulating an ex-vivo anatomic tissue specimen surgical procedure using the system of claim 1, comprising: mounting a section of a tissue specimen onto the tissue specimen curvature approximator device, the tissue specimen having lateral sides; attaching a tissue fixation system to each lateral side of the tissue specimen; mounting the tissue specimen and each attached tissue fixation system to the tissue support and tensioning device and tensioning the tissue specimen using the tensioning arms; and, making an incision in at least one section of the tissue specimen. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the incision is made using a surgical instrument selected from the group consisting of mechanical cutting devices, electrosurgical cutting devices, laser cutting devices and ultrasonic cutting devices. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the closure device comprises a suture. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the incision is made using a surgical instrument selected from the group consisting of mechanical cutting devices, electrosurgical cutting devices, laser cutting devices, and ultrasonic cutting devices. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the tissue specimen comprises a harvested natural tissue. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the tissue specimen comprise synthetic tissue. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the tissue specimen comprises a harvested natural tissue. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the tissue specimen comprise synthetic tissue. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the tissue specimen comprises a body wall. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the tissue specimen comprises an abdominal wall. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the tissue specimen comprises a body wall. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the tissue specimen comprises an abdominal wall. ### Claim 27 An ex vivo anatomic tissue specimen simulation system, comprising: a tissue fixation system, comprising a pin rail, the pin rail having an elongated member with a plurality of tissue engagement pins mounted on a surface; and, a receiver rail for engaging the pin rail, the receiver rail having an elongated receiver rail member with at least one standoff member and at least one guide pin, and a groove along at least part of the length of the elongated member for receiving distal ends of the tissue engagement pins; and, a tissue support and tensioner device for receiving at least a part of the tissue fixation system, comprising at least one tissue support member having a curvature, the curvature corresponding to the curvature of a tissue specimen in vivo, a pair of end plate members mounted to the ends of the tissue support member, a pair of tensioning arms pivotally mounted to each plate member, and members extending from the lateral ends of the tensioning arms to receive at least a section of the receiver rail. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the tensioner device comprises an accessible cavity below the tissue support member. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, comprising two tissue support members separated by an opening. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the end plate members have a numbered grid. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the tensioning arms have an associated locking mechanism. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the tissue specimen comprises a body wall. ### Claim 33 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the tissue specimen comprises an abdominal wall.