Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access Simulator for Medical Training: Proposal of a Simple, Economic and Effective Model.

OBJECTIVE: To present a simple and affordable model able to properly simulate an ultrasound-guided venous access.

DESIGN: The simulation was made using a latex balloon tube filled with water and dye solution implanted in a thawed chicken breast with bones.

RESULTS: The presented model allows the simulation of all implant stages of a central catheter. The obtained echogenicity is similar to that observed in human tissue, and the ultrasound identification of the tissues, balloon, needle, wire guide and catheter is feasible and reproducible.

CONCLUSION: The proposed model is simple, economical, easy to manufacture and capable of realistically and effectively simulating an ultrasound-guided venous access.