TissueDB/Simulators/Bronchoscopy Anatomical Trainer (Di Domenico)
General Information
The Bronchoscopy Anatomical Trainer (Di Domenico) is an inexpensive paper-mache simulator for teaching anatomical recognition and basic flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy skills to anaesthesiology and general-surgery residents. The model is a 1.5 mm iron-wire bronchial-tree scaffold coated in glazier-putty and paper-mache layers, mounted to a wooden base with an 8 mm endotracheal tube. Bronchial segments are labelled per the international classification and the endoscopic view matches patient anatomy across three bifurcations.[1]
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| General Information | Aimed at anaesthesiology and general-surgery residents acquiring and maintaining basic flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy skills. Commercial bronchoscopy simulators are expensive, which motivated this low-cost model built from common materials. Direct source: Di Domenico et al. 2007, Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 6(4):567–569; PMID 17669940.[1] |
| Features and Basic Operation | Real-scale, anatomically accurate bronchial tree. The endoscopic view matches patient anatomy at three bifurcations, covering the left upper and lower lobes (segment 6), the right middle and lower lobes (segments 4 to 10), and the right basal segments (7 to 10). All bronchial segments can be explored and identified by endoscopic and external vision, and the model disassembles for cleaning and transport.[1] |
| Current Development Status | Author-reported real-scale anatomical accuracy and endoscopic-view correspondence at three bronchial bifurcations; no formal validation study.[1] |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | Approximately €16 (2007).[1] |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (the trainee's own; not part of the build), advanced through the 8 mm endotracheal tube.[1] |
| Version | Not stated in source. |
| Development Team Contact Information | Stefano Di Domenico (corresponding, didomenico.stefano@gmail.com), San Martino University Hospital, University of Genoa. Co-authors: Claudio Simonassi (Villa Scassi Hospital, Interventional Pneumology), Leonardo Chessa.[1] |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trachea | 1 | Paper-mache (newspaper in vinilic glue) over an iron-wire scaffold, water-based enamel inner finish | — | The proximal airway of the model; the bronchoscope is introduced here, through the endotracheal tube.[1] |
| Bronchus | All segments | Paper-mache (newspaper in vinilic glue) over an iron-wire scaffold, water-based enamel inner finish | — | All bronchial segments, labelled per the international classification; endoscopic-view correspondence with patient anatomy shown at three bifurcations.[1] |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchial-tree scaffold | 1.5 mm diameter | Iron wire | €1.60 | The internal armature that gives the bronchial tree its shape; modelled on the Netter and Shields anatomy atlases.[1] |
| Anatomical bulk layer | 500 g | Glazier-putty | €0.80 | The real-scale anatomical bulk of the model, over the scaffold.[1] |
| Paper-mache outer layers | 6 to 7 layers | Newspaper in vinilic glue | — | The model's outer shell and, once finished, the inner airway surface the bronchoscope sees.[1] |
| Inner and outer paint | As needed | Water-based enamel | €3 | Gives the airway lumen its inner appearance and the model its exterior finish.[1] |
| Barrier layer | 1 wrap | Common food transparent film | — | Release barrier between the glazier-putty form and the newspaper-strip outer shell.[1] |
| Base | 30 × 40 × 2 cm | Wood board with support sticks and nails | €4 | Platform with three supports for the bronchial tree and one for the endotracheal tube; the nails anchor the rubber bands.[1] |
| Tree-to-base fixation | Multiple | Rubber bands | — | Hold the bronchial tree on the base supports.[1] |
| Endotracheal tube | 1 (8 mm inner diameter) | Endotracheal tube | — | The entry port through which the flexible bronchoscope is introduced; sits in the groove on its base support.[1] |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Build the bronchial-tree scaffold
- Construct the bronchial-tree scaffold from 1.5 mm diameter iron wire based on anatomical illustrations from Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy and Shields General Thoracic Surgery.[1]
- Fix the iron-wire scaffold to a wooden stick mounted on a wood base (Fig. 1a in source).[1]
- Wrap the iron wire with newspaper sheets to increase scaffold thickness.[1]
Phase 2: Form the anatomical model
- Apply glazier-putty over the newspaper wrap to create the anatomical model at real scale (Fig. 1b in source).[1]
- Wrap the entire model in common food transparent film as a barrier layer.[1]
- Immerse newspaper strips in a solution of water and vinilic glue at a 2:1 ratio for 1 hour.[1]
- Cover the model in 6 to 7 layers of soaked newspaper strips.[1]
- Allow the model to dry at ambient temperature for approximately 48 hours (Fig. 1c in source).[1]
Phase 3: Paint and label
- Detach the model from the scaffold by cutting it into six pieces and paint the inner surface with water-based enamel (Fig. 1d in source).[1]
- Reassemble the six pieces using further layers of water-and-vinilic-glue-soaked newspaper strips.[1]
- Paint the exterior once the model has dried, and label segmental bronchi per the international classification.[1]
Phase 4: Mount on the base
- Build the basement from a 30 × 40 × 2 cm wood board; install three supports for the bronchial tree plus one support for the endotracheal tube; drive nails obliquely into the supports to hook rubber bands.[1]
- Secure the bronchial tree to the basement supports with common rubber bands and fit an 8 mm inner-diameter endotracheal tube in the groove on its support (Fig. 1e in source).[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 Di Domenico S, Simonassi C, Chessa L. Inexpensive anatomical trainer for bronchoscopy. Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 2007;6(4):567–569. DOI 10.1510/icvts.2007.153601. PMID 17669940.
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Bronchoscopy Anatomical Trainer (Di Domenico)". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026. |