590 - A Novel Infant Phantom Model for Teaching Umbilical Catheter Localization

Poster Number: 590
Publication Number: 590.118

Cara Beth Carr, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, United States; Allison H. Payne, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States; Jennifer L. Nicholas, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, United States; Danielle M. Paulin, Akron Children's Hospital, Tallmadge, OH, United States

Background: To optimize patient safety and quality of care, procedural skills are increasingly being taught via simulation prior to transitioning to the bedside. Tissue-mimicking phantom models are educational tools that allow trainees to learn and practice skills such as point-of-care ultrasound (US). While some phantoms are commercially available, they are often prohibitively expensive for training programs. Currently, there is a lack of guidance in the literature regarding how to create a low-cost infant phantom that accurately portrays the liver and umbilical catheter position.

Objective: To create a low-cost, high-fidelity newborn phantom model that is capable of simulating ultrasonographic images of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) position.

Design/Methods: STL (stereolithography) images were used to create 3D-printed molds for the liver and infant torso. We chose a primarily ballistic gel-based model as it can be used for longer durations than other materials, and the raw materials can be melted and recycled for future phantoms. To create the phantom liver, synthetic ballistic gel (Clear Ballistics, Greenville, SC), stearine (Country Lane Candle Supplies, Doylestown, PA), and glass microspheres (Fasco Epoxies Inc., Ft Pierce, FL) were combined and melted. This combination was poured into the liver mold with internalized latex tubing (simulating vessels) and was extracted after cooling. A similar combination of materials was used for the infant torso, with the addition of gel dye (Humimic Medical, Greenville, SC) for color. The ballistic gel combination was then poured into the torso mold around the liver phantom encased in saline wrap (Figure 1). A fluid-filled latex balloon simulated a cardiac chamber. Finally, the UVC was inserted into the latex tubing, and the phantom cooled for approximately 6 hours.

Results: After allowing the materials to cool, the infant torso was extracted from the mold (Figure 2). US images depict the simulated cardiac chamber, soft tissue, encapsulated liver, and vessels; the UVC position is able to be localized within the simulated atrium, and the UVC course can be seen throughout the simulated liver (Figure 3). The final weight of the phantom infant torso is 1.6 kg.Conclusion(s): It is possible to create a low-cost, high-fidelity model that simulates US images of umbilical catheter position. This model will be used as a teaching tool in an upcoming US workshop for neonatal trainees. Future directions for this project include collaborating with Case Western Reserve University Sears think[box] to incorporate US-compatible 3D printed umbilical vessels and cardiac chambers.
Cara Beth Carr CVCara Beth Carr CV.pdf
Figure 2Ultrasound-compatible infant torso phantom with umbilical venous catheter.