A 3D-Printed Forearm Trainer for the Practice of Ultrasound-Guided Arterial and Venous Line Placement

Abstract

As sonography (US) continues to become a mainstay in medicine, both as a screening device and as a procedural tool, the use of task-based sonographic trainers (i.e., phantoms) in medical training has become increasingly necessary. This is especially true for what has been termed ‘the global use of US’, or the use of US as an imperative tool during structural planning and placement of peripheral and central lines within patients in emergency and hospital settings. However, despite the frequency and technicality of US-guided procedures involving arterial and venous line placement, the benefit of such hands-on US simulation training for employees and professional students alike is often outweighed by cost. The current market for US trainers displaying human forearm anatomy and branching vessels comes at a high price tag of over 2,000 USD per model. The authors’ experiment utilises 3D printing techniques and biodegradable ballistics gel to create a cost-effective, versatile, and yet realistic peripheral line simulator in order to cultivate real-time learning of arterial/venous arm anatomy, while providing mechanical practice for needle driving and US technique, all at a fraction of the commercial price.