Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Simulator – Shoulder (3D-printed)

What is this?
This is a easily reproducible benchtop simulator for training arthroscopic rotator cuff (supraspinatus) repair. It was developed as part of a master's thesis at the Postgraduate Program in Surgical Clinic, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil, within the orthopedic surgical simulation research group of the Hospital de Clínicas / UFPR.

⚠ Validation in progress
This simulator is currently undergoing scientific validation. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed article, and a link will be added here once available. Until then, please treat this model as a research prototype.

What is it for?
The simulator reproduces the main steps of an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: identifying the tear through the posterior portal, placing an anchor, retrieving sutures through the working portals, and passing sutures through the tendon. It is intended for medical students, orthopedic residents and surgeons who want to practice arthroscopic triangulation, instrument handling, suture management and knot tying outside the operating room, without risk to patients and without the cost of cadaver labs or commercial simulators.

How it was made
The bone and skin geometry was reconstructed from an open-access CT dataset of a healthy right shoulder (Visible Human Project, University of Iowa) using InVesalius, refined in Meshmixer, and the base and fittings were designed in Fusion 360. The bony components are fixed to the base to make the model more robust for suture and knot training.

Files

• Base: support base for the model

• Scapula and Humerus: bony components, fixed to the base

• Skin: outer shoulder cover with portal access

• Shoulder Simulator 2.0 V4.4 – Full Assembly: complete model for reference

• CAD files: editable Fusion 360 (.f3z) and STEP files, current (V4.4) and previous (V4.3) versions

Other materials needed

• Supraspinatus tendon: a 5 mm thick EVA foam strip

• Arthroscope: a low-cost USB endoscope camera with built-in LEDs, mounted on a 3D-printed handle and connected to a computer 

• Real arthroscopic instruments (suture anchor, suture passer, suture retriever) were used in the study

Authors

• Lucas Santiago (lead author) – ORCID: 0000-0001-7903-3996

• Carolline Popovicz Nunes (co-author) – ORCID: 0000-0002-9835-0185

• Prof. Dr. Edmar Stieven Filho (advisor) – ORCID: 0000-0003-2869-4019

Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) – Curitiba, Brazil

Disclaimer
For educational and training purposes only. Not a medical device and not intended for clinical use.