TissueDB/Materials/Psyllium
License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 by Bastique (Cary Bass)
Psyllium (psyllium husk, ispaghula) is a soluble fiber additive used in medical simulation to create parenchymal texture in gel-based tissue phantoms. When mixed with agar or gelatin, psyllium produces a fibrous internal structure that mimics the heterogeneous texture of liver and other solid organs on ultrasound.
Tissues
| Tissue | Visual | Tactile | Recipe | Simulator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trachea | Mixed with beef gelatin and water; orange-coloured psyllium fiber.[1] | Neonatal ETT Ultrasound Simulator (Qaim Ali) | Hollow cylinder in gelatin-psyllium block simulates air-filled tracheal lumen on transverse anterior neck ultrasound.[1] | ||
| Esophagus | Mixed with beef gelatin and water; removable gelatin plug simulates ETT presence or absence in esophageal lumen. | Neonatal ETT Ultrasound Simulator (Qaim Ali) | Hollow cylinder in gelatin-psyllium block positioned inferior and posterior to simulated trachea on transverse anterior neck ultrasound.[1] |
Troubleshooting
- Procedures requiring tissue elasticity — psyllium-agar is brittle and does not simulate elastic recoil.
- Long working time — psyllium thickens gel rapidly. Have molds and targets ready before adding psyllium.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Merali HS, Tessaro MO, Ali KQ, Morris SK, Soofi SB, Ariff S (2019). "A novel training simulator for portable ultrasound identification of incorrect newborn endotracheal tube placement – observational diagnostic accuracy study protocol." BMC Pediatrics 19:434. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1717-y. PMID: 31722685. PMC: PMC6852924.
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/Psyllium". Appropedia. Retrieved August 18, 2026. |