DIY Ultrasound Model: Procedure – Nerve Blocks

This page summarizes do-it-yourself (DIY) ultrasound models for teaching nerve blocks. Read more on the DIY ultrasound model compendium.

A low cost, high fidelity nerve block model¹

Materials	Pork loin, cat 5 cable, ultrasound gel, IV tubing, hand sanitizer, 10 cc syringe, long kelly clamps
Estimated Cost	Not provided

Summary

The pork loin is preserved by soaking in hand sanitizer for 12 hours. Long kelly clamps are used to puncture the model and pull the cat 5 cable and IV tubing through the pork loin lengthwise. The cat 5 cable and IV tubing are then filled with ultrasound gel and clamped at both free ends. The model is now complete.

It is likely that similar results could be acheived by using a gelatin model to avoid any issues with probe contamination.

How to make a meat model for UGRA

By Cynthia Shum (Published on 13 Jun 2015)
[UGRA = Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia]

Materials	Beef tendon, boneless pork
Estimated Cost	Not provided

Summary

Use forceps to burrow a hole through the boneless pork and insert the beef tendon. The tendon will simulate peripheral nerves when performing the ultrasound. Consider wrapping the meat in a plastic wrap to avoid probe contamination.

A low-fidelity, high functionality, inexpensive ultrasound-guided nerve block model²

Materials	Long balloons, paper straw, dry spaghetti, chicken breasts, syringe, canola oil, 18 gauge needle
Estimated Cost	Not provided

Summary

This model is designed to simulate the femoral nerve-vein-artery bundle. The paper straw should be inserted into one of the balloons to represent a thicker walled artery. Both this balloon and another balloon without a straw (the vein) are filled with water. A third balloon is filled with 5-6 raw spaghetti noodles to simulate the nerve. The bundle is then placed between two chicken breasts and is ready to use.

To avoid probe contamination with raw meat consider covering the model with plastic wrap.

Updated April 23, 2019

Reference

1.
Sparks S, Evans D, Byars D. A low cost, high fidelity nerve block model. Crit Ultrasound J. August 2014. doi:10.1186/s13089-014-0012-2
2.
Micheller D, Chapman M, Cover M, et al. A low-fidelity, high-functionality, inexpensive ultrasound-guided nerve block model. CJEM. 2017;19(1):58-60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27478036.