Medistar’s Home-Made Ultrasound Phantom Recipe
You will need:
- Plastic container with 1 litre capacity
- Mixing bowl and whisk
- Gelatine
- Metamucil
- Hot and cold water
- “Targets” see below for suggestions
- Optional – milk, Tegaderm/Opsite
1st Layer:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of gelatine with 250mL hot water and dissolve
- Mix ½ tablespoon of Metamucil with 250mL of cool water and dissolve
- Combine both mixtures, ensure there are no lumps
- Repeatedly tap side of container to remove any air bubbles
- Refrigerate until firm
Targets:
- When firm, place targets on the surface and gently cover with 2nd layer
2nd Layer:
- Mix 2 tablespoon of gelatine with 250mL hot water and dissolve
- Mix ½ tablespoon of Metamucil with 250mL of cool water and dissolve
- Optional – add 1 tablespoon of milk to increase opacity
- Combine both mixtures, ensure there are no lumps, tap out air bubbles
- Refrigerate until set
Top layer:
- Place a layer of Tegaderm or Opsite over the top to increase surface strength
Target suggestions:
- Stuffed (not pitted) olives > lymph node appearance
- Chicken bones > practice hand eye co-ordination
- Water filled balloon > bladder for volume calculation (ensure no air in balloon)
- Water filled balloon with Chico Baby lolly inside > 9 week foetus
- Lamb kidneys (rehydrate overnight for better definition of calyces)
- Figs > abscess
- Liquorice stick, snake lolly > nerve/vein for needle guidance practice
Mix Metamucil, gelatine and water
Figs, dried apricot and prune
Chicken femur, Chico foetus, olive, blueberry and lamb kidney
Ultrasound of all items
Chico baby in water filled balloon
Lamb kidney