A home-made phantom for learning ultrasound-guided invasive techniques

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Ultrasound Technology
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Ultrasound-guided procedures are crucial for accurate needle placement.
• Effective training requires realistic simulation tools.
• Existing phantoms can be expensive or complex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel, low-cost ultrasound phantom for practicing needle guidance.
• To enable training for variable needle depths and target sizes.
• To provide an accessible simulation tool using common household materials.

Main Methods:

• Development of a phantom mimicking solid organ echogenicity.
• Utilizing readily available kitchen resources for construction.
• Testing its efficacy for ultrasound-guided needle placement practice.

Main Results:

• The phantom successfully simulates the echogenicity of solid organs.
• It allows for practice of needle insertion at various depths and into different sized targets.
• Construction is simple and cost-effective.

Conclusions:

• This homemade ultrasound phantom offers a viable and economical alternative for training needle-guided procedures.
• It provides a practical platform for developing essential psychomotor skills in medical trainees.
• The accessibility of materials makes it suitable for widespread adoption in various training settings.