The use of Gelatine models in Ultrasound guided Intravenous Cannulation

Obtaining vascular access in critical ill or injured patients is one of the most important skills in emergency medicine. Lack of easily accessible peripheral venous sites is often seen due to hypovolemia, cold extremities, body habitus, vascular disease and injection drug use. Different commercial ultrasound (US) training models for intravenous cannulation (IVC) exists. They offer realistic imaging characteristics, but the models are often expensive, not readily available and their substance is patented. As a response to this others have developed homemade training phantoms for different US procedures, such as biopsies and cannulation of fluid filled spaces and vascular structures. All models have different benefits and drawbacks and their recipes vary in complexity. The latter could represent a barrier for widespread use. Our objective is to present a video showing how to make a gelatine training model for US guided IVC.

[ddprall]

I tried several phantom recipes and liked this one the best. I had to proportionally change the recipe for use in smaller containers - this is what I ended up using.

90 gm (3.25 oz) unflavored gelatin
500 mL hot water
approx 30 ounces rubbing alcohol (70%) - though lots of options for preservative

I used plumbers putty outside the tubes to prevent leakage. I also used a 2.5 cup container to make the phantom and eventually moved it to a 4 cup container with taller sides (same sized base).

[ddprall]

You can use 1-2 tablespoons of Metamucil in the recipe as well; makes it easier to see the vessels by ultrasound. I used food coloring in some to hide things. I added grapes (for cysts), paper clips (metal FB), toothpicks, glass, etc. For foreign bodies that float, it's best to make the molds step wise (bottom, middle, top).

[ctmanders]

This is a very nice video.Your model is simple to make and very helpful for novices. It was shot in descent lighting with little to no distractions. the voice over was very well performed. It was concise, articulate and fairly complete. Could you please let the subscribers know the exact preservative that was used in the creation off the model? Also, what material would you use for simulating a nerve?

[Drjorgehulloa]

You are a genius my friend!!! I was tired of buying phantoms and I am instructor of vascular access. Great idea, once again, Genius!

[nicolasgodoy]

hi! thanyou for you apport
I have one question
What preservatieve do you use?

[girardphilippe]

Thank you very much to share your tecnic. We do it and use it during an US training. Simple and useful. 

[mfajardoperez]

Please I want to now what kind of preservative do you us?

[ddprall]

NOTE: alcohol is approximate 30 ML - not ounces. sorry about the typo!

[mfajardoperez]

Perfect phantom,
I´ll would like to make this for my students training. Can I have the instructions precise recipe

[Handsonecho]

Hello, I am an ultrasound instructor from Belgium. Made several vessel models based on metamucil and gelatin. I followed your recipe exactly but my models failed. And I know why I think: it is not a good idea to use an electrical handmixer to mix the gelatine with water because you create air bubbles in the gelatine mass. And they reflect all the US waves. Result: no penetration but reflection and no image formation...

[asila]

Kindly can you write the materials you used in details ...I couldn't catch what you mentioned, , Gelatin, water, and ???

[nandouff]

Great video.
Perfect Phantom !!!
Congratulations !!!

[eman]

Kindly tell me is it 300mg or 300 gram of gelatin? Thank you

[JohnLloydScharf]

What is the preservative used in this?

[cianmd]

Hi susinfo1 - how long does this model last for before it degrades? Also, how many needle piercings does it take? Like your recipe, thanks!

[ThiersGoncalves]

Very useful vídeo. Congratulations! What kind of preservative did you use? My models usually melt quickly after removed from freezer. I think it could be because i do not use preservative. Do you agree?

[omarnoor]

How long does the phantom last?
And can I use it for suturing training?