The polony phantom: a cost-effective aid for teaching emergency ultrasound procedures

Int J Emerg Med. 2010 Mar 30;3(2):115-8. doi: 10.1007/s12245-009-0156-1.

Abstract

Background: Central venous access and nerve blockade are essential skills in the practice of emergency medicine, and the utility of emergency ultrasound to guide these procedures has been well demonstrated.

Methods: A phantom is a valuable tool to learn and develop the dexterity for ultrasound-guided techniques.

Results: To date, the time and cost required to produce or purchase such models has somewhat limited their use.

Conclusion: A time- and cost-effective alternative using polony and common household items is presented.

Keywords: Emergency ultrasound; Imaging phantoms; Nerve block; Ultrasonography; central venous catheterisation.