TissueDB/Simulators/Bronchoscopy Anatomical Trainer (Di Domenico)
The Bronchoscopy Anatomical Trainer (Di Domenico) is a low-cost bronchial-tree simulator, built from locally available materials such as iron wire, newspaper, glue and wood, for teaching anatomical recognition and basic flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy skills to anaesthesiology and general-surgery residents. The finished paper-mache bronchial tree is mounted on a wooden base, with an 8 mm endotracheal tube as the bronchoscope's entry port. It was developed by Di Domenico and colleagues at the University of Genoa.[1]
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | Real-scale, anatomically accurate bronchial tree. The endoscopic view matches patient anatomy at three bifurcations: the left upper/lower lobe bifurcation (segmental bronchus 6), the right middle lobe (segments 4–5) and right lower lobe (segments 6–10), and the right basal bifurcation (segments 7–10). All bronchial segments can be explored and identified by endoscopic and external vision, and the model disassembles for cleaning and transport. |
| Current Development Status | Author-reported real-scale anatomical accuracy and endoscopic-view correspondence at three bronchial bifurcations; no formal validation study. |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | US$22 |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (the trainee's own; not part of the build), advanced through the 8 mm endotracheal tube. |
| Version | Version 1 |
| 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. |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proximal airway | 1 | Paper-mache (newspaper in vinilic glue), water-based enamel inner finish | — | The proximal airway of the model; the bronchoscope is introduced here, through the endotracheal tube. |
| Bronchus | All segments | Paper-mache (newspaper in vinilic glue), water-based enamel inner finish | — | All bronchial segments, labelled per the international classification; endoscopic-view correspondence with patient anatomy shown at three bifurcations. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchial-tree scaffold | 1.5 mm diameter | Iron wire | €1.60 | The build form that shapes the bronchial tree during construction; the finished paper-mache shell is cut into six pieces and detached from it. Modelled on the Netter anatomy atlas and Shields' thoracic surgery textbook. |
| Anatomical bulk layer | 500 g | Glazier-putty | €0.80 | Applied over the scaffold to form the model at real scale; part of the build form that is removed when the finished shell is detached. |
| Barrier layer | 1 wrap | Common food transparent film | — | Release barrier between the glazier-putty form and the newspaper-strip outer shell. |
| 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. |
| Tree-to-base fixation | Multiple | Rubber bands | — | Hold the bronchial tree on the base supports. |
| 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. |
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.
- Fix the iron-wire scaffold to a wooden stick mounted on a wood base (Fig. 1a in source).
- Wrap the iron wire with newspaper sheets to increase scaffold thickness.
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).
- Wrap the entire model in common food transparent film as a barrier layer.
- Immerse newspaper strips in a solution of water and vinilic glue at a 2:1 ratio for 1 hour.
- Cover the model in 6 to 7 layers of soaked newspaper strips.
- Allow the model to dry at ambient temperature for approximately 48 hours (Fig. 1c in source).
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).
- Reassemble the six pieces using further layers of water-and-vinilic-glue-soaked newspaper strips.
- Paint the exterior once the model has dried, and label segmental bronchi per the international classification.
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.
- 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).
References
- ↑ 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 24, 2026. |