TissueDB/Simulators/Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Heo)
General Information
POLISHeR (Pediatric Open and Laparoscopic Integrated Simulator for Hernia Repair) is a 3D-printed pediatric inguinal hernia repair simulator that combines open and laparoscopic training in a single modular platform. A reusable life-size base carries replaceable, sex-specific tissue cartridges, so trainees can practise the repair in both sexes on the same platform.[1]
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| General Information | The life-size base is 3D-printed from a CT scan of a 7-year-old child scaled to the proportions of a 2-year-old, with printed replicas of the pelvis, abdominal wall, aorta, and inferior vena cava forming a unisex base usable for both open and laparoscopic repair. A smaller mobile base is provided for open repair only. Sex-specific modular cartridges insert into either base and are replaced between uses.[1] |
| Features and Basic Operation | Not stated in source |
| Current Development Status | Pilot face-validity testing completed; a prospective construct- and concurrent-validity trial is planned but not yet conducted.[1] |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | US$375.93 (male) / US$364.31 (female)[1] |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Not stated in source |
| Version | Not stated in source |
| Development Team Contact Information | A multi-institutional collaboration between the Global Surgery Lab (Branch for Global Surgical Care) at the University of British Columbia, the Digital Lab at British Columbia Children's Hospital, the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital (LMU Munich), and McGill University.[1] |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin | 1 | Silicone (Ecoflex 00-30) cast over power mesh fabric | — | Resilient, suture-compatible layer also forming the external oblique aponeurosis.[1] |
| Peritoneum (hernia sac) | 1 | Non-lubricated condom | — | Chosen for its thin membranous texture and global availability; latex finger cots and plastic kitchen wrap were tested and rejected during iteration.[1] |
| Preperitoneal fat | 1 | Silicone cast in a dedicated mold | — | Modular wedge integrated into the cartridge assembly.[1] |
| Cremaster muscle | 1 | Red threads embedded in silicone | — | Envelops the hernia sac during cartridge assembly.[1] |
| Vas deferens | 1 | White elastic cord | — | Secured to the hernia sac with rubber cement during male-cartridge assembly.[1] |
| Inguinal ligament | 1 | Rubber, rope, and thread combinations | — | Landmark for groin anatomy in both open and laparoscopic views.[1] |
| Round ligament | 1 | Rubber, rope, and thread combinations | — | Female-cartridge equivalent of the spermatic cord.[1] |
| Testis | 1 | 3D-printed Vero white photopolymer | — | Anatomic landmark in the male cartridge; not a tissue substitute.[1] |
| Aorta | 1 | 3D-printed Agilus 30 clear photopolymer | — | Life-size base vasculature; positioned during base assembly.[1] |
| Inferior vena cava | 1 | 3D-printed Agilus 30 clear photopolymer | — | Life-size base vasculature; positioned during base assembly.[1] |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D-printed pelvis (left + right) and pubic tubercles | 1 set | Vero white Stratasys PolyJet photopolymer | — | Skeletal landmarks for groin anatomy; printed alongside the sacrum and vertebrae (V1–V3) for the life-size base.[1] |
| 3D-printed shell and base (shell top, base, side walls, shell pins, connector pins) | 1 set | Vero white Stratasys PolyJet photopolymer | — | Housing for the tissue cartridges; connector pins secure components during assembly.[1] |
| 3D-printed deep (internal) inguinal rings (×2) and modular cartridge frames (open, laparoscopic) | 1 set | Vero white Stratasys PolyJet photopolymer | — | Cartridge frames receive the tissue components; the deep inguinal rings integrate into the cartridge assembly.[1] |
| 3D-printed laparoscopic trocar ports | 3 | Agilus 30 clear Stratasys PolyJet photopolymer | — | Insertion points for laparoscopic instruments.[1] |
| Assembly hardware (Velcro tape, brass fasteners, hole punchers, suction cups, 20 cm square board, black vinyl) | as needed | Sourced externally (Amazon); not tissue-simulating | — | Securing and assembly hardware.[1] |
Build Instructions
The Heo paper describes an iterative design process rather than a step-by-step protocol; the following sequence reproduces the published build from the Methods and Figures.
- Print the pelvis (left and right, with pubic tubercles), sacrum, vertebrae V1–V3, shell top, base, side walls, shell pins, connector pins, deep (internal) inguinal rings (×2), and modular cartridge frames (open and laparoscopic) in Vero white Stratasys PolyJet photopolymer. Print the aorta, inferior vena cava, and laparoscopic trocar ports (×3) in Agilus 30 clear Stratasys PolyJet photopolymer.[1]
- Cast Ecoflex 00-30 silicone over a layer of power mesh fabric to form a resilient, suture-compatible substrate for the skin and external oblique aponeurosis.[1]
- Cast Ecoflex 00-30 silicone alone in a dedicated mold to form modular preperitoneal-fat wedges.[1]
- Embed red threads in a silicone cast to simulate the cremaster muscle.[1]
- Assemble each male cartridge: attach a non-lubricated condom as the hernia sac; secure white elastic cord (vas deferens) and red and blue nylon cords (testicular and spermatic vessels) to the hernia sac with rubber cement; add rubber, rope, and thread combinations to represent the inguinal ligament, medial umbilical ligaments, and epigastric vessels; place the 3D-printed testis as an anatomic landmark. Use UV glue during assembly and tint silicone components with Rit Dye (yellow, tangerine, cherry red) as needed.[1]
- Assemble female cartridges as above, substituting the round ligament for the spermatic cord and omitting the testicular and spermatic vessels.[1]
- Mount the cartridge inside the modular cartridge frame; assemble the frame into either the life-size unisex base or the smaller mobile open-repair base. Secure cartridge edges to the base with Velcro tape on the cartridge underside. Insert the laparoscopic trocar ports as needed.[1]
- Verify cartridge assembly and fit before use.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 Heo K, Greaney E, Haehl J, Stunden C, Lindner A, Malik PRA, Rosenbaum DG, Muensterer O, Zakani S, Jacob J, Joharifard S. Iterative Design and Manufacturing of a 3D-Printed Pediatric Open and Laparoscopic Integrated Simulator for Hernia Repair (POLISHeR). Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2025;60:162232. DOI 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162232 PMID 40011165. CC BY-NC 4.0.
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Heo)". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026. |