Medical students can now practice on realistic ‘arm’

Those studying to become doctors are known to be some of the most devoted—and competitive—students you will ever meet. As they work their way through the rigorous challenges of medical school, there are many firsts, but undoubtedly, learning to insert a needle into another human is one of the most intimidating. While some want to faint at the thought and others are chomping at the bit to try, all medical students require one thing first: lots of practice! But where to get this, so that that first patient isn’t such a terrifying prospect? That’s certainly been an ongoing question for medical students throughout time. The ultimate training device of course is a real human body, but aside from a cadaver, that gets unrealistic—and your medical student friend is probably tired of offering up his arm to be jabbed by a novice with a syringe.

We’ve seen some great preliminary ideas via 3D printing so far for training like 3D printed skin, as well as much more advanced medical models and simulators for surgeons performing complex procedures like neurosurgery.  One new company’s aim, however, is to make practicing a lot more realistic for medical students than they ever imagined, and to put the tools into their hands now.

Gary Chang and Michael Lu, both Stanford Universityalumni and the founders of San Draw Medical, have put the 3D printer along with their special FAM technology and multi-colored silicone to create the IV Injection Trainer. This is more than just material—it’s really like having an arm to work with. Giving students something to actually hold on to and position themselves around as if they were truly working with a patient, the 3D printed trainer features a replaceable skin pad. Each pad can be used for around 100 punctures, meaning there’s a lot of practicing that can be done. After that, it takes about 30 seconds to put a new one on.

This new innovation was recently unveiled at the CES Asia conference in Shanghai, said to have received enormously popular response as event goers witnessed the transforming nature of the silicone which for these purposes feels so much closer to skin, offering a similar response when pressed.

“As it’s made from silicone rubber, our IV Trainer assures realistic feedback for the student when the needle goes into the replicated multi-venous network,” said a senior engineer from San Draw Medical. “As it is customizable, it is easy to be adjusted to various physical conditions conveniently to simulate different patients. Backed by our breakthrough 3D printing FAM technology, our IV Trainer promises you an awesome combo of premium clinical education & latest technology.”

Nothing can be better—for everyone involved—than when all those 3D printing benefits come together at once.  These affordable training devices offer incredible self-sustainability in training as the student can work on one of the rubber arms wherever and whenever they like. Customization is also offered as IV injection trainers can be made to simulate varying patients and conditions through changing the rigidity of the skin, diameter of the vein, and the depth of the vein.

“The traditional clinical education is mostly dependent on diagrams and data from text books. But students and patients are always looking for a real-life feel that they can actually hold in hands to have a comprehensive hang of the function and shape. It is where San Draw’s FAM technology plays a considerable role. Silicone comes with the needed human-like touch and thus many would be benefited from what could be generated on 3D printer,” stated one of the existing clients of the IV Trainer.

“You have seamless engineering capabilities here,” he added in.

The trainers are easy to clean and come as part of a kit, including everything the student needs to begin practicing—even the rubber tourniquet and hand to accompany the arm. Retailing at $399 online from San Draw Medical, the kit includes one pad, with replacements sold for $99 each.

This is just a start too, as the company, involved in making a number of different medical tools, also plans to begin making 3D printed suture pads, and IV torso, as well as their own line of surgery simulators. San Draw also offers the first 3D printing services for silicone. Discuss further in the 3D Printed IV Injection Trainer forum over at 3DPB.com.

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