Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
A purpose-built simulator for percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy
Alexander Woywodt1, Thien How, Michael Schulz
1Department of Nephrology, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK. Alex.Woywodt@lthtr.nhs.uk
Aims:
To construct a simple and affordable simulator for ultrasoundguided percutaneous renal biopsy.
Material And Methods:
The kidney biopsy phantom was constructed by embedding a porcine kidney in gelatine. Silicon carbide and aluminium oxide were used as scattering particles in order to mimic the ultrasound appearance of human tissues. Two porcine ribs were also embedded. A latex sheet was placed over the top of the gel layer to resemble skin. The simulator was used and feedback from participants obtained during a renal ultrasound course with an international audience of middle-grade trainees from adult and pediatric nephrology, many of whom had never done a renal biopsy. Biopsy was carried out a single-use biopsy gun.
Results:
All participants were able to perform a biopsy and obtain a satisfactory sample. All trainees felt that our simulator was very realistic. 94% of participants agreed that the simulator would help to allay their fears in relation to renal biopsy The total cost of the simulator was around £ 50,- for consumables per simulator.
Conclusions:
We describe a purpose-built and affordable simulator for percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy. We suggest that others evaluate our simulator used as part of a structured approach to teach this important procedure.
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