Patent attributes
A simulated abdominal wall for laparoscopic surgical training and methods of making the wall are provided. The simulated abdominal wall is dome-shaped having a visual appearance of an insufflated abdomen. Also, the wall is strong enough to withstand penetration with surgical trocars without unrealistic buckling or deformation. The wall is supported by a frame along the perimeter without any support structures traversing the wall that would interfere with port placement. The wall includes multiple layers connected together to form a unitary wall to fit a laparoscopic trainer. In one method, a projection of a dome is cut from a flat layer of foam material and assembled within a mold cavity. Consecutive layers with the same or different projection pattern are laid up inside the mold cavity. In another method, a vacuum mold together with heat is used to deform each foam layer. Adhesive is applied between layers to simultaneously join the adjacent layers upon deformation.