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