{"id":216422,"date":"2026-05-04T11:44:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hajim.rochester.edu\/senior-design-day\/?p=216422"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:44:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:44:11","slug":"prostagrip-surgical-simulator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hajim.rochester.edu\/senior-design-day\/prostagrip-surgical-simulator\/","title":{"rendered":"PROSTAGRIP\u2122 Surgical Simulator"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Introduction <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A patient is eligible for a prostatectomy when their prostate is in an enlarged or cancerous state. The gold-standard for prostate removal is a nerve sparing prostatectomy. Laparoscopic prostatectomies require precise manipulation of the prostate while preserving delicate neurovascular structures that are essential for continence and sexual function. Often during surgery, the neurovasuclar bundles are damaged and cause harm to the patient. The neurovascular bundles are located posterolaterally to the prostate and are surrounded by adipose tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To avoid nerve damage, LSI Solutions\u00ae has developed the PROSTAGRIP\u2122 device. This device travels transurethrally to provide the surgeon with precise manipulation of the prostate, which allows for better visualization of the neurovascular bundles. There is currently no dedicated physical simulator that clearly demonstrates how the PROSTAGRIP\u2122 functions within relevant anatomy, limiting effective training and device demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PROSTAGRIP\u2122 device travels through the external urethral meatus through the urethra into the prostate. Once in the prostate, the grippers are expanded and the prostate can be rotated. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Problem Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The goal of this project is to create a functional surgical simulator to demonstrate LSI Solutions\u00ae\u2019 PROSTAGRIP\u2122\u2019s transurethral manipulation of the prostate during prostatectomies to increase exposure of the neurovascular bundles. This phantom accurately represents the male pelvic anatomy and allows medical professionals to visualize key procedural steps involving the PROSTAGRIP\u2122 device in a controlled, non-clinical environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Use Scenario <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The surgical simulator is a desktop model that depicts a complete laparoscopic prostatectomy. The model is anatomically accurate and has organs that are representative of the average adult male, but it does not need to have all the tissues that are present in the human body. The surgical model will be used in a \u201cdry\u201d environment and does not require a sterile surgical field.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use the surgical simulator, the PROSTAGRIP\u2122 is inserted through the external urethral meatus and travel through the urethra to the prostate. Then, the grippers are expanded to hold the prostate in place as it is excised from the simulator. Once the prostate is removed, LSI Solutions\u00ae\u2019 RD\u00ae and Ti-Knot\u00ae devices are used for the anastomosis between the urethra and bladder. The surgical simulator can be used by potential PROSTAGRIP\u2122 users to experience how the device streamlines a prostatectomy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our Surgical Simulator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Final design of the surgical simulator <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Our design for the surgical simulator includes external and internal systems. The external system consists of the outer shell of the mannequin, penis, and viewing window\/laparoscopic cover. This system is durable so it can withstand repeated simulations during demonstrations. The internal system includes the anatomy of the male pelvic region: prostate, bladder, seminal vesicles, urethra, and pelvis. The internal system is supported by expandable foam which allows for the organs to be supported and held in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main subsystem is the interchangeable system. This system includes the bladder, prostate, seminal vesicles, and urethra. The surgical site is supplemented with power mesh to ensure the silicone can hold a suture. To replace this system after a simulation, there are two quick connection points: one between the bladder and pelvis and the other between the urethra and penis. These connection points allow for an easy and fast reset process between simulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prototyping process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Initial prototype of the prostate <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Initial drawing of the simulator<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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View of the inside of the simulator <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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All prototypes of the prostate and urethra<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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All iterations of the penis <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Prototype of the interchangeable subsystem<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>