Trocar for laparoscopic simulation

thingiverse

To perform laparoscopic surgery, a patient's abdomen must first be inflated with carbon dioxide, and then laparoscopic instruments are carefully inserted through small incisions in the abdominal wall. A crucial device called the trocar is then securely fixed into those incisions to prevent gas leakage and minimize tearing of the skin. The trocars become the pivots for a camera (laparoscope) and surgical instruments. Mastering movement over a pivot point is an essential skill for laparoscopic surgeons. By working over a pivot, direction of movement is reversed from handle to tip, allowing hand movements to be either amplified or stilled depending on the ratio of the instruments' stem length before and after the pivot. We created a 3D printable trocar that can easily turn any box or container into a laparoscopic simulator. One 3D printed trocar costs approximately 20 eurocents in materials, significantly less than commercial trocars which cost at least 65 euros. Our design features multiple moving parts but can be printed as one object without requiring any post-processing. A step file of the design is included for easy customization (e.g., for laparoscopic instruments with a diameter other than 5mm).