PVA is the synthetic resin bearing a hydroxyl group and an acetic acid group(-OCOCH3)． Generally, PVA is known as the material of vinylon, which is the synthetic resin which Japanese researchers first produced. This synthetic resin is also used for liquid glue or 'slime' .
Different from polymeric materials such as plastic, gel forms the 3D net-like structure by cross-linking each of its polymeric molecules, generally containing solvent inside the net. In particular, the gel which contains water is called "Hydrogel".
What we call 'gel' are devil's tongue, jelly and agar. When it comes to human body, we are approximately 70% water. Strictly speaking, we are made from gel aggregate. When we see the structure of our body, some parts have a distinctive mechanism with their dynamic property greatly different from in other parts. Their dynamic properties are optimized and there are a lot of properties which artificial materials have not duplicated.
The past bio-models duplicated the form but did not have the dynamic property of the real vessel. However, in the surgical simulation and training, doctors need to learn not only an operative procedure but also acquire empirical knowledge― the real feel which they have when the medical device touches the affected area.
Medical technology has been progressing day by day, and the skill required of doctors has become high, too. We hope that the biomodel which meets the demand from the medical front will be the important medical tool to save patients' lives.
PVA-H changes its dynamic property greatly and easily by changing its polymerization degree, its saponification degree and its density. The combination of PVAs in these different conditions also varies its dynamic property． In addition, since PVA contains a lot of water which leaks on its surface, it creates very low skin friction which traditional bio-models did not possess. What is more, PVA is a biocompatible and safe material.
With the new bio-model `PVA`, we are researching and making vascular model and oral model which duplicate dynamic properties of the originals. We also provide high-precision simulation training environment for surgical operations.
