Development of Suture Simulator That Can Express 3D Deformation of Wounds and Those Vicinities

In this research, a buried suture simulator is developed from attention that there is a most complicated diversity in plastic surgery. Buried suture is one of suture techniques with difficult usage. In comparison with normal suture, buried suture needs more care because it is difficult to handle it. Moreover accuracy of surgical techniques or effect of skill on postoperative deformation are unknown. Furthermore buried suture have two advantages; less mark of wound on cosmetic advantage, and no necessity to thread removal on clinical advantage. Buried suture simulator developed from the two major needs is available in each need. One is manipulation simulator for experience, study and training through manipulation from high difficulty skill. The other is deformation simulator for confirmed postoperative deformation that has an effect on difference of suture pattern from clinical point that is largely-concerned with QOL (quality of life) of a patient. In suture simulator, usually operating time or efficiency and the number of mistakes as typified by failure in gripping an object are the points of the quantitative evaluation. In this research, keeping the evaluation of the postoperative deformation in mind, a suture simulator that can express 3D deformation of wounds and those vicinities is developed. The elemental technologies of the developed simulator are described. Moreover the effect of passing point in suture exerted on the post-operative ligation deformation is considered