LapFAST

The most difficult single basic laparoscopic task is arguably intracorporeal suturing. LapFAST contains modules that break down the suturing process into a series of specific steps for practicing in the laparoscopic environment. Each task is designed to train for the hand and tool motions necessary to successfully complete that step of the suturing process.

Modules

Preparation: Warm-up designed to train in the simultaneous movement of the laparoscopic instruments that is required for laparoscopic suturing and tying. Target spheres appear and must be touched by both tools at the same time.

Orientation: For suturing, the needle must be loaded internally and held in the needle driver at an appropriate angle. This module allows the user to load the needle and adjust its angle with the other tool. The needle position and angle is then tested by holding it against a pad with a transverse stripe representing the suturing area.

Approximation: The needle must be threaded into the eyelet on top of a cylinder, which is then picked up and placed inside a target circle. The needle must then be regrasped near its tip and pulled through the eyelet without bumping or pulling the cylinder out of the target zone, to simulate the pulling of a needle through tissue.

Rotation: The needle must be grasped near its tip and aligned so that its suture end is parallel to and lined up with the tip of the opposing instrument. Once they are properly aligned and brought together, a dial appears on the needle's end. The dial must be spun in the indicated direction for two rotations by moving the needle and opposing instrument tip around each other. This is to simulate looping of suture around one instrument in knot tying.

Coordination: The needle driver tip must be placed near the shaft of the opposite tool, touching a sphere just behind its grasper jaws. Both tools must then be moved in concert toward target spheres, which must be grasped by the opposite tool. This is to simulate the motion required in knot tying of moving both instruments together to grasp the tail of the suture.

Separation: Trains in the tool motions required to cleanly pull the suture's tail through the suture looped around the grasper's shaft. A funnel-shaped cylinder is held at its wide end by the needle driver. A sphere at its narrow end must be grasped by the other instrument. The sphere and cylinder must be moved in opposite directions simultaneously in order to pull the sphere through without contacting the cylinder walls.

Termination: Practice in the final stages of creating a stitch, in which the knot is formed and pulled tight. Appropriate force must be applied by each tool as the knot is tightened in order to maintain a short tail.


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	LapFAST Download LapFAST Brochure (701 KB PDF) The most difficult single basic laparoscopic task is arguably intracorporeal suturing. LapFAST contains modules that break down the suturing process into a series of specific steps for practicing in the laparoscopic environment. Each task is designed to train for the hand and tool motions necessary to successfully complete that step of the suturing process. Modules Preparation: Warm-up designed to train in the simultaneous movement of the laparoscopic instruments that is required for laparoscopic suturing and tying. Target spheres appear and must be touched by both tools at the same time. Orientation: For suturing, the needle must be loaded internally and held in the needle driver at an appropriate angle. This module allows the user to load the needle and adjust its angle with the other tool. The needle position and angle is then tested by holding it against a pad with a transverse stripe representing the suturing area. Approximation: The needle must be threaded into the eyelet on top of a cylinder, which is then picked up and placed inside a target circle. The needle must then be regrasped near its tip and pulled through the eyelet without bumping or pulling the cylinder out of the target zone, to simulate the pulling of a needle through tissue. Rotation: The needle must be grasped near its tip and aligned so that its suture end is parallel to and lined up with the tip of the opposing instrument. Once they are properly aligned and brought together, a dial appears on the needle's end. The dial must be spun in the indicated direction for two rotations by moving the needle and opposing instrument tip around each other. This is to simulate looping of suture around one instrument in knot tying. Coordination: The needle driver tip must be placed near the shaft of the opposite tool, touching a sphere just behind its grasper jaws. Both tools must then be moved in concert toward target spheres, which must be grasped by the opposite tool. This is to simulate the motion required in knot tying of moving both instruments together to grasp the tail of the suture. Separation: Trains in the tool motions required to cleanly pull the suture's tail through the suture looped around the grasper's shaft. A funnel-shaped cylinder is held at its wide end by the needle driver. A sphere at its narrow end must be grasped by the other instrument. The sphere and cylinder must be moved in opposite directions simultaneously in order to pull the sphere through without contacting the cylinder walls. Termination: Practice in the final stages of creating a stitch, in which the knot is formed and pulled tight. Appropriate force must be applied by each tool as the knot is tightened in order to maintain a short tail.
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