Abstract: An eye model for simulating surgery has an eyeball portion suspended within a frame. The suspension has a flexible material connected to the eyeball and the frame which flexes when the eyeball is pushed during a surgical simulation, so that the eyeball can be moved within a range of motion corresponding to the range of motion of the natural eye, and also so that when the force is applied to the eyeball the eyeball resists displacement with a force similar to resistance of the natural eye.

Abstract: A representation of the skull (“a mask”) based upon imaging of the head enables simulation of surgical procedures. The mask is limited in extent to a zone extending above the inferior boundary of the maxilla in the axial plane, between the outer limits of the zygomatic bones in the sagittal plane, and anterior to the coronal suture of the skull in the coronal plane, and includes orbits and a nasal opening. The mask is detachably connected to a posterior base. The base includes a fluid retaining surface which forms a basin. A peripheral edge slidingly mates with a posterior portion of the mask to enable rotation of the mask. The base has a mounting surface for eye models that is posterior to each of the mask orbits. A drain port enables drainage from the base. A nasal structure resembling a nose is reversibly insertable into the nasal opening.

Abstract: A representation of the skull (“a mask”) based upon imaging of the head enables simulation of surgical procedures. The mask is limited in extent to a zone extending above the inferior boundary of the maxilla in the axial plane, between the outer limits of the zygomatic bones in the sagittal plane, and anterior to the coronal suture of the skull in the coronal plane, and includes orbits and a nasal opening. The mask is detachably connected to a posterior base. The base includes a fluid retaining surface which forms a basin. A peripheral edge slidingly mates with a posterior portion of the mask to enable rotation of the mask. The base has a mounting surface for eye models that is posterior to each of the mask orbits. A drain port enables drainage from the base. A nasal structure resembling a nose is reversibly insertable into the nasal opening.

Abstract: A model for simulating surgery upon the eye has a posterior and an anterior segment. The posterior segment includes structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a hollow globe and an image of the fundus positioned upon an interior, posterior portion of the globe. A mating portion is peripherally formed about an open end of the globe. The anterior segment also includes structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a translucent lens, and another mating portion peripherally formed about a posterior portion of the anterior segment. The mating portions of the posterior and anterior segments releasably connect the posterior and anterior segments. A vitreous substitute material can be added into the posterior segment and is sealed within when the anterior segment is attached.

Abstract: An eye model enables simulation of surgical procedures involving both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. The model includes a housing which supports attachment of an anterior segment. The anterior segment has a lens capsule that is movably suspended by a peripheral zonule. An anterior chamber is formed between a cornea and the lens capsule. A posterior segment with a posterior cavity is formed in the housing, and is fillable through a port formed in the housing. The posterior cavity is bounded anteriorly by the lens capsule, as in the eye. When the posterior cavity is filled with a vitreous fluid, fluid pressure causes movement of the lens capsule to change the shape of the anterior chamber. If an opening is formed through the lens capsule, vitreous can pass from the posterior cavity to the anterior chamber as the posterior cavity is pressurized through the port.

Abstract: A model for simulating surgery upon the eye has a posterior and an anterior segment. The posterior segment includes structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a hollow globe and an image of the fundus positioned upon an interior, posterior portion of the globe. A mating portion is peripherally formed about an open end of the globe. The anterior segment also includes structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a translucent lens, and another mating portion peripherally formed about a posterior portion of the anterior segment. The mating portions of the posterior and anterior segments releasably connect the posterior and anterior segments. A vitreous substitute material can be added into the posterior segment and is sealed within when the anterior segment is attached.

Abstract: A reusable surgical model of the eye has mating anterior and posterior segments. The posterior segment has structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a hollow globe and an image of the fundus positioned upon an interior, posterior portion of the globe. A mating connector is peripherally formed about an open end of the globe. The anterior segment includes structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a pars plana, an opening in a region corresponding to an iris, and a lens positionable within the opening. The anterior segment has a peripheral connector which mates with that of the posterior segment. The lens is removably connected to the anterior segment, and has a focal length corresponding to a natural eye. A coating is applied to the fundus to enable simulation of a membrane peeling procedure, and the globe is fillable with a vitreous substitute.

Abstract: A synthetic eye model includes an enclosed lens capsule, a removable cortex material within the lens capsule, and an outer support for the lens capsule. A synthetic eye model assembly includes an eye segment comprising a lens capsule and an outer support and a base for detachably engaging the eye segment. The synthetic eye model and assembly can be made by 3D printing. A method of practicing eye surgery and a method of making a three-dimensional synthetic tissue model of an anatomical tissue structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reusable surgical model of the eye has mating anterior and posterior segments. The posterior segment has structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a hollow globe and an image of the fundus positioned upon an interior, posterior portion of the globe. A mating connector is peripherally formed about an open end of the globe. The anterior segment includes structures corresponding to those of the eye, including a pars plana, an opening in a region corresponding to an iris, and a lens positionable within the opening. The anterior segment has a peripheral connector which mates with that of the posterior segment. The lens is removably connected to the anterior segment, and has a focal length corresponding to a natural eye. A coating is applied to the fundus to enable simulation of a membrane peeling procedure, and the globe is Tillable with a vitreous substitute.

Abstract: A synthetic eye model includes an enclosed lens capsule, a removable cortex material within the lens capsule, and an outer support for the lens capsule. A synthetic eye model assembly includes an eye segment comprising a lens capsule and an outer support and a base for detachably engaging the eye segment. The synthetic eye model and assembly can be made by 3D printing. A method of practicing eye surgery and a method of making a three-dimensional synthetic tissue model of an anatomical tissue structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling containers includes a cooling chamber having a side wall with a circular interior surface defining a cylindrical interior chamber cavity. The interior chamber cavity has a diameter and length sufficient to receive the container therein, and an open top permitting insertion of the container and egress of the fluid. At least one fluid inlet is positioned so as to inject a cooling fluid tangential to the circular side wall. At least one fluid outlet is provided for removing the cooling fluid from the cooling chamber. A method for cooling containers is also disclosed.