Design, Manufacturing, and Educational Evaluation of a Low-Cost Venipuncture Training Simulator

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Biomedical Engineering
• Simulation Technology

Background:

• Venipuncture is a crucial clinical skill requiring extensive practice.
• High costs and limited availability of commercial simulators hinder repeated student training.
• Need for affordable, accessible, and reusable training tools in medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, manufacture, and evaluate a low-cost, reusable venipuncture training model.
• To assess the model's realism, usability, and educational value for medical students.
• To provide a sustainable alternative to expensive commercial simulators.

Main Methods:

• Developed a silicone-based soft-tissue model with embedded silicone tubing simulating veins.
• Utilized a 3D-printed mold and a passive hydrostatic pressure system for visual feedback.
• Manufactured the model using platinum-cure silicone, silicone tubing, and a porous support layer.

Main Results:

• The model's material cost was approximately 4-5 EUR per unit.
• 50 medical students participated in a training session using the simulator.
• Students reported high satisfaction with ease of use, reusability, and the visual feedback system.

Conclusions:

• The low-cost, in-house manufactured venipuncture simulator offers a practical and sustainable training solution.
• Affordability, reusability, and ease of manufacturing make it suitable for widespread adoption.
• The model effectively addresses the need for accessible procedural training in medical education, especially in resource-limited settings.