Instructions for using Neprho-Xperts training phantoms
The Nephro-Xperts base plate, together with the matching gel ultrasound sticks, allows you to create a professional training phantom in a short time, which produces a detailed ultrasound image and comes very close to the puncture feeling of a native dialysis shunt. This means you can create standardized and reproducible training and education conditions at any time and without any further preparation.
Please store the ultrasound gel phantoms in the PE bag until you are ready to use them and only remove them immediately before training to prevent them from drying out.
Materials and workplace preparation
We recommend initially covering the preparation area with patient drapes to avoid contamination. In addition to a base plate, the cutting template and the matching gel phantoms, you will need a cutting mat, a sharp knife, ultrasound gel and a piece of cling film.
Pork minute steaks from discounters (400 g, pack of 5 or 6, LIDL or NETTO) have proven to be ideal as tissue cover because they are machine-cut and, after cutting, simulate a 5 – 6 mm thick cover of the shunt vein. The dimensions of the base plate are chosen so that you can cut one tissue cover from any minute steak. The multiple use of the fabric cover enables resource-saving practice.
Prepare the tissue cover
First, place the cutting template on the steak and press it gently. Then cut off the excess with a sharp knife.
Please be careful not to apply too much pressure, otherwise the tissue cover will become too thin and a wide linear ultrasound probe in particular can get stuck on the rubber edge of the base plate during training.
Insert practice phantoms
Fill some ultrasound gel into one corner of the recesses and insert the phantom gel sticks from this side. Make sure that the phantoms are completely embedded in the gel. Air bubbles form a sound artifact that is disruptive during training.
For the same reason, spread a sufficient amount of ultrasound gel on the surface before applying the tissue cover.
Wrap the practice phantom
Cut a piece of Toppits® cling film that is slightly larger than the width of the base plate. When using another brand of cling film, choose a “sticky” one.
First attach one end of the film to the underside of the base plate and pull the film tightly over the tissue cover on the top. Continue the foil to the bottom and crumple it up there. Then fold the sides under the bottom. It is important that the film on the top is really tight and free of bubbles.
… ready to go!
Begin the puncture exercises at one end of the gel phantom previously located using ultrasound. Please remind that each puncture leaves a puncture channel filled with air, which is later imaged as an artifact.
Therefore, start the next puncture approximately 1 cm away from the first puncture site. This means you can use the entire range of the ultrasound gel phantom for training.
Renewal of exercise phantoms and cleanup
The tissue cover can be reused. After the gel phantom sticks in the base plate had been replaced, simply turn the cover over before wrapping it in a new cling film piece again. A tissue cover can be used for 2-3 practice phantoms before it needs to be replaced.
After the training, simply clean the base plate and the cutting template with a little dishwashing liquid and water. You can also use a dishwashing machine.