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Hernia exam model

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A hernia exam model that decreases the learning curve of inguinal hernia exams for medical students

Project Overview

In 2024, medical students learn many patient care skills, like breast exams and vaginal delivery, on models or simulators. Currently, there is not a model for inguinal hernia exams. Inguinal hernias affect 25% of all men. The exam is intrusive for the patient and requires significant skill. Each year many patients are referred from health care professionals that don't know how to do this exam to see general surgeons. This is a waste of patients' time and healthcare dollars.

The project is to build a dynamic pelvic model that can be used to teach hernia exams. The materials for the model would need to be less than $1000, sturdy, and also tactically resemble human skin, fat and fascia (all viscoelastic materials which can be more simply modeled with elastic moduli of 0.14 MPa, 1-2 kPa, and 4.6 MPa respectively) as the exam requires feeling tissue move. Usually a patient participates in the exam by bearing down or valsavaling, which increases intra-abdominal pressure by about 100mmHg. The model would ideally simulate this pressure in some way. The model aims to simulate indirect hernias.

Team Picture

Names (L to R): Kat Sattel, Lilly Mackenzie, Mackenzie Sloan, Giulia Scimonelli, Steph Vigmond
Names (L to R): Kat Sattel, Lilly Mackenzie, Mackenzie Sloan, Giulia Scimonelli, Steph Vigmond

Contact Information

Team Members

Advisor and Client

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