Fistula cannulation simulator

Abstract

A cannulation simulation device and methods for using the device are described. The device is designed to teach dialysis technicians/nurses or patients to cannulate arteriovenous (AV) fistulas for hemodialysis. The simulator includes one or more artificial fistulas. The simulator includes a pad of simulated flesh that can cover the artificial fistula(s). The pad can be reversed, rotated, and replaced with thicker or thinner pads. A personal simulation device for teaching self-cannulation can include a sleeve for a limb that can carry an artificial fistula. A clinical simulation device can include a plurality of artificial fistulas held in a support. Optionally, the artificial fistulas can vibrate to simulate an actual fistula.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cannulation simulation device comprising:
 a support;   an artificial fistula held in conjunction with the support, the artificial fistula including an upper barrier having a radial curvature and an axial length and further including a lower barrier, the artificial fistula defining a lumen between the upper barrier and the lower barrier; and   a pad configured to be removably located on an upper surface of the support such that the pad overlays the upper barrier of the artificial fistula.   
     
     
         2 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration motor in mechanical communication with the upper barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first sensor configured to detect the presence of a needle tip within the lumen of the artificial fistula. 
     
     
         4 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor configured to detect contact of a needle tip with the lower barrier of the artificial fistula. 
     
     
         5 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the support defines a plurality of cut-outs and a plurality of the artificial fistula, one of the plurality of the artificial fistulas being retained in each of the plurality of cut-outs. 
     
     
         6 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of pads. 
     
     
         7 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , the pad defining a cut-out configured to retain the artificial fistula. 
     
     
         9 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the support is the lower barrier. 
     
     
         10 . The cannulation simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the support is in the form of a sleeve configured for temporary attachment to a subject. 
     
     
         11 . A method for cannulation training comprising:
 inserting a dialysis needle through a pad, the pad overlying an artificial fistula, the artificial fistula including an upper barrier having a radial curvature and an axial length and further including a lower barrier, the artificial fistula defining a lumen between the upper barrier and the lower barrier;   passing the dialysis needle through the upper barrier; and   detecting the presence of the dialysis needle within the lumen of the fistula by use of a first sensor in communication with the lumen.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first sensor is in optical communication with the lumen. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , the method further comprising detecting contact of the dialysis needle with the lower barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the contact is detected by formation of an electrical contact between the dialysis needle and the lower barrier. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising engaging a vibration motor in communication with the artificial fistula such that the upper barrier of the artificial fistula vibrates. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pad overlays a plurality of artificial fistulas, the method further comprising reorienting the pad from a prior orientation prior to inserting the dialysis needle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , the artificial fistula being retained on a sleeve, the method further comprising temporarily attaching the sleeve to a subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising prior to inserting the dialysis needle, assembling the artificial fistula with the pad. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the artificial fistula is assembled on a support with an orientation to mimic the fistula of a subject.