TissueDB/Simulators/Bowel Anastomosis Simulator (Habti)
The Bowel Anastomosis Simulator (Habti) is a low-cost trainer for practising hand-sewn small-bowel anastomosis — joining two cut ends of bowel with sutures.[1] A 30 cm silicone bowel segment with a replicated mucosal surface is cast in a 3D-printed mold and held for suturing by a 3D-printed tabletop clamp; one mold casts up to four segments.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | Used to practise a hand-sewn bowel anastomosis. One 3D-printed mold casts up to four 30 cm silicone bowel segments; the printed maxSIMclamp+ holds a segment to the bench for suturing. |
| Current Development Status | Built and tested in a pilot randomised controlled trial; trainees' skills transferred to a live porcine model (pilot evidence; not yet validated in patients). |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | ~CA$35 About 4 hours for the silicone to cure, plus 3D-printing time for the mold and clamp (printer-dependent). |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | An FDM 3D printer (the source used an Ultimaker S5) with PLA filament; optionally, 3D-modelling software (the source used Autodesk Fusion360) to edit the shared STL files. No special instruments are needed to use the finished model beyond standard suturing tools. |
| Version | Version 1 |
| Development Team Contact Information | Co-developed by the maxSIMhealth laboratory (Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada) and the Department of Surgery / Surgical Oncology Service, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). Lead author Merieme Habti; corresponding author email merieme.habti@umontreal.ca. |
Source: Habti et al. (2021), Cureus — doi:10.7759/cureus.20536.
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Intestine | 1 segment | Castable silicone | CA$8.00 | Cast from Ecoflex 00-30 castable silicone (Shore 00-30; Smooth-On). The segment has a replicated mucosal surface; clinicians confirmed it represents small-bowel tissue and responds well to suturing, though it has more recoil than real bowel and the silicone can rip during suturing. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| maxSIMclamp+ (3D-printed tabletop clamp) | 1 | PLA | CA$4.80 | Holds the silicone bowel segment to the bench during suturing; printed in 3D-Fuel Pro PLA (about 160 g). A one-time, per-station part. |
| Bowel mold (3D-printed, reusable) | 1 | PLA | CA$21.60 | Reusable mold used only during construction to cast the silicone bowel segment; one mold casts up to four segments. Printed in 3D-Fuel Pro PLA (about 720 g). A one-time cost. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Print the mold and clamp
- Download the development team's publicly shared STL files from their free digital repository at github.com/maxSIMhealth/UdeMHSBA (released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence), or design the bowel anatomy in 3D-modelling software (the source used Autodesk Fusion360) from public medical illustrations and Creative Commons digital models.
- Transfer the files to an FDM 3D printer (the source used an Ultimaker S5) via SD card.
- Print the reusable bowel mold in white PLA filament (the source used 3D-Fuel Pro PLA); one mold uses about 720 g.
- Print the maxSIMclamp+ (top and bottom parts) in the same PLA filament; one clamp uses about 160 g.
Checkpoint: The mold interior must be smooth and free of layer artefacts so the cast silicone takes a realistic mucosal surface texture.
Phase 2: Cast the silicone bowel
- Mix the Ecoflex 00-30 silicone (Smooth-On) following the manufacturer's instructions; the source used about 177 g of silicone per 30 cm bowel segment.
- Pour the mixed silicone into the 3D-printed mold.
- Allow it to cure at room temperature (about 4 hours for Ecoflex 00-30, per the manufacturer's technical data).
- Demould the segment. One mold yields up to four 30 cm bowel segments.
Checkpoint: The finished segment should show a mucosal surface texture and accept suturing without tearing immediately. The development team reported testing a version with power mesh fabric (80% nylon / 20% spandex) embedded during casting to reduce tearing; this was still under development at publication.
Phase 3: Assemble the simulator
- Place the silicone bowel segment between the top and bottom parts of the maxSIMclamp+.
- Secure the assembly with the four latching-style clamps.
- Attach the maxSIMclamp+ to a tabletop or workbench.
Checkpoint: The segment must be held without slipping while suturing. Learners noted the clamp's suction cups did not always adhere to the table, so check stability before starting.
References
- ↑ Habti M, Bénard F, Arutiunian A, Bérubé S, Cadoret D, Meloche-Dumas L, Torres A, Kapralos B, Mercier F, Dubrowski A, Patocskai E (2021). "Development and Learner-Based Assessment of a Novel, Customized, 3D Printed Small Bowel Simulator for Hand-Sewn Anastomosis Training." Cureus 13(12):e20536. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20536. PMID: 35070566. PMC: PMC8765572.
Sources consulted for this page but not cited at a specific claim:
- Habti M, Bénard F, Arutiunian A, Bérubé S, Cadoret D, Meloche-Dumas L, Torres A, Kapralos B, Mercier F, Dubrowski A, Patocskai E (2021). "Development and Learner-Based Assessment of a Novel, Customized, 3D Printed Small Bowel Simulator for Hand-Sewn Anastomosis Training." Cureus 13(12):e20536. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20536. PMID: 35070566. PMC: PMC8765572.
- Habti M, Bénard F, Meloche-Dumas L, Bérubé S, Cadoret D, Arutiunian A, Papas Y, Torres A, Kapralos B, Mercier F, Dubrowski A, Patocskai E (2023). "Hand Sewn Anastomosis Skill Acquisition and In Vivo Transfer Using 3D-Printed Small Bowel Simulator." J Surg Res 288:225–232. DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.03.004. PMID: 37030179.
- Smooth-On, Inc. "Ecoflex™ 00-30 Product Information." Manufacturer technical data: 45-minute pot life, 4-hour cure time, used at room temperature (73 °F / 23 °C). smooth-on.com/products/ecoflex-00-30.
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Bowel Anastomosis Simulator (Habti)". Appropedia. Retrieved August 23, 2026. |