TissueDB/Materials/PVA
Photo: LHcheM, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer supplied as a filament for fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing. It is used as a dissolvable support material during dual-extruder prints: the printer deposits the primary build filament (commonly PLA or TPE) alongside PVA support struts, and the finished part is then submerged in water to dissolve the PVA away, leaving the geometry free of physical supports. PVA support is valuable for internal cavities, overhangs, and complex articulations that cannot be printed in a single pass, and it is consumed during post-processing rather than remaining in the finished part. It can be used in medical simulation to produce complex 3D-printed parts that are later freed of their supports.
Used In Simulators
| Simulator | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brannan Chest Tube Simulator | Dissolvable support filament for dual-extruder FDM prints (ribs, joints, stand) | Consumable. Dissolved out of the final simulator geometry before use.[1] |
References
[edit source]- ↑ Brannan V, Dunne CL, Dubrowski A, Parsons MH (2021). "Development of a novel 3D-printed multifunctional thorax model simulator for the simulation-based training of tube thoracostomy." CJEM 23:547–550. DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00102-1. PMID: 33783760.
Overview
[edit source]Synonyms
[edit source]Clinical Context for Simulation
[edit source]Processing & Preparation
[edit source]Safety Considerations
[edit source]Related Materials
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| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/PVA". Appropedia. Retrieved June 3, 2026. |