Ultrasound Education Models
A series of realistic, affordable, and accessible ultrasound models by Lauren Sinsioco (2025 EMIC Fellow).
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Simulation Model
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are life-threatening but can be reliably detected using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) when users are properly trained. Access to ultrasound practice can be limited by the high cost of commercial simulators and limited prevalence of patients with the actual pathology.
A low-cost abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound phantom was developed using 3D printing and readily available materials. The model combines 3D-printed vertebral anatomy and an aneurysm with water-filled latex tubing embedded in gel wax to replicate realistic anatomy under ultrasound.
The novel model was compared to a commercial simulator in a randomized controlled trial involving 58 third-year medical students. Students trained on the 3D-printed model demonstrated significantly greater accuracy when measuring aortic diameter, and ultrasound images were found to more closely resemble real anatomy. Both groups showed similar improvements in confidence and rated the realism and tactile feedback of the models at similar levels.
Costing just $27.43 and remaining functional for over 120 scans, the developed model offers an affordable, durable alternative to commercial simulators. With all design files freely available, this model has strong potential to expand access to ultrasound education in resource-limited and global health settings.
Median Nerve Block Phantom Model
Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are an important skill in emergency medicine, but training opportunities can be limited by the high cost and limited availability of commercial simulators. To address this gap, a realistic, low-cost ultrasound phantom was developed for practicing forearm median nerve blocks using common materials and 3D printing.
The phantom incorporates a novel use of fiber optic string to simulate nerve anatomy and was designed to be simple to build. In a randomized study, 13 emergency medicine trainees and faculty with limited prior experience were assigned to either video-only instruction or hands-on training with the phantom. Participants who trained with the phantom demonstrated significantly improved ability to identify the median nerve on live patients compared with the video-only group. Both groups showed significant gains in confidence identifying anatomical landmarks and visualizing the median nerve on ultrasound. The phantom was rated highly for educational value, realism of ultrasound appearance, tissue behavior, and procedural skill development.
With a cost of $42.35 per unit and easily reproducible design, this median nerve block phantom offers a scalable and accessible solution for ultrasound education. Its affordability and realism make it well suited for training programs in resource-limited and global health environments.