DIY Ultrasound Model: Thoracic

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

Creating thoracic phantoms for diagnostic and procedural ultrasound training¹

Materials	Gelatin, pork ribs, sponges, latex gloves, plastic bags, plastic bucket, psyllium husk
Estimated Cost	Not provided

Summary

This article details a number of models to simulate normal lung, pleural effusion, lung consolidation, and pneumothorax. Sponges act as lung tissue and pork ribs are used to create rib shadowing. It is important to use a probe cover with the raw meat component of this model.

Hand Ultrasound: A High-Fidelity Simulation of Lung Sliding²

Materials	Two hands
Estimated Cost	$0

Summary

This inventive, zero-cost simulator generates lung sliding or the barcode sign by sliding 2 fingers under the dorsum of another hand. Metacarpals generate realistic rib shadowing.

A Low Cost Training Phantom for Lung Ultrasonography³

Materials	Gelatin, tree branches, dressing foam
Estimated Cost	$5

Summary

The chest wall is created with a gelatin model embedded with tree branches to simulate ribs. The pleura is created by sliding a sheet of dressing foam under the gelatin chest wall. The dressing foam can be soaked in water to simulate b lines. Plastic bags of water can be used for pleural effusion.

Updated April 23, 2019

References

1.
Rippey J, Gawthrope I. Creating thoracic phantoms for diagnostic and procedural ultrasound training. Australas J Ultrasound Med. 2012;15(2):43-54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28191142.
2.
Shokoohi H, Boniface K. Hand Ultrasound: A High-fidelity Simulation of Lung Sliding. Academic Emergency Medicine. September 2012:E1079-E1083. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2012.01431.x
3.
Do HH, Lee S. A Low-Cost Training Phantom for Lung Ultrasonography. Chest. December 2016:1417-1419. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2016.09.033