TissueDB/Simulators/Foley Catheter Tamponade Simulator
The Foley Catheter Tamponade Simulator is a low-cost, fully mechanical bench-top trainer, built from locally available materials, for practising Foley-catheter balloon tamponade — a hemorrhage-control technique for deep penetrating wounds where a tourniquet cannot be applied. The learner inserts a Foley catheter into the simulated wound cavity and inflates its balloon to compress an internal mechanism that is designed to restrict a pumped-water "bleed", so the learner can gauge whether tamponade has been achieved. It is adapted from the CrashSavers Hemostatic Foley Simulator; the original build instructions are the CrashSavers Appropedia module and its Step-by-Step Building Manual (PDF).
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | Fully mechanical — no electronics and no consumable tissue. A hand-operated fumigator (pump sprayer) drives water through the internal mechanism; inflating the Foley catheter balloon is intended to compress the modeling balloon and restrict the flow, so the learner can gauge whether tamponade has been achieved. The trainer pairs with the CrashSavers VR app for the clinical case scenarios, and the Foley catheter and an inflation syringe are clinical use-time items, not part of the build. |
| Current Development Status | Pilot-tested — build reproducibility piloted with engineers and firefighter trainees, who assembled it unassisted in about 1.5 hours; not clinically or training-validated. |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | US$46 |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Hand saw, drill, drill bits (1/8" and 1/2"), Phillips screwdrivers, pliers, scissors, 400-grit sandpaper, measuring tape, C-clamp, wrenches. Rotary tool (Dremel) optional. |
| Version | Simple Version |
| Development Team Contact Information | CrashSavers — Global Surgical Training Challenge team, Guatemala. No individual contact email is published. |
Design note: This is one of the CrashSavers Trauma course's DIY hemorrhage-control simulators, alongside the Tourniquet Simulator and the Wound Packing Simulator.
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not applicable — this simulator is structural-only. The Foley catheter balloon is inserted into a PVC pipe body and presses against an internal balloon mechanism; no tissue-simulating materials are used. | ||||
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame Components | ||||
| Frame short pipes (P1) | 4 | Heat pipe ½" | $7.00 | Short horizontal pipes; two per short side of the base rectangle, with a J1 T-joint at each midpoint. This cost cell prices the whole ½" heat-pipe lot, from which all the heat-pipe pieces (P1–P7) are cut; the remaining heat-pipe rows are therefore shown as not separately priced. |
| Frame long pipes (P2) | 2 | Heat pipe ½" | — | Long horizontal pipes forming the two long sides of the base rectangle. |
| Vertical leg pipes (P3) | 2 | Heat pipe ½" | — | Vertical legs rising from the base J1 T-joints in the middle of each short side, supporting the elevated upper frame. |
| Upper lateral pipes (P4) | 4 | Heat pipe ½" | — | Lateral cantilever pipes extending outward from the upper J1 caps atop the legs (two per leg, in opposite directions). |
| Upper longitudinal pipes (P5) | 2 | Heat pipe ½" | — | Upper longitudinal pipes connecting the lateral J2 corners on each side, forming the long sides of the elevated upper frame. |
| Frame T-joints (J1) | 5 | PVC T-joint ½" | $3.30 | Two T-joints in the middle of the base short sides; two atop the vertical legs as caps; one inside the 4" PVC body for the mechanism. |
| Frame elbow joints (J2) | 8 | PVC elbow 90° ½" | $4.50 | Four corner elbows at the base rectangle; four at the lateral ends of the P4 pipes where they turn into the P5 longitudinals. |
| PVC bonding agent | 1 | PVC glue | — | For permanent PVC pipe-to-joint bonds throughout the frame and mechanism. Listed by the source as a required material but not separately priced. |
| Simulator Body and Mechanism | ||||
| Simulator bodies (PVC) | 2 | PVC pipe 4" | $3.00 | Two lengths cut from the 4" PVC (priced as one lot). One carries the internal mechanism and the Foley-insertion opening (the wound cavity). ⚑ Open for review: the build diagrams also show a second 4" body on the elevated upper frame, but the source does not state its function — kept as shown pending confirmation of its role. |
| Mechanism inner pipe (P6) | 1 | Heat pipe ½" | — | Run horizontally through the straight axis of a J1 T-joint inside the 4" PVC body. |
| Internal mechanism pipe (P7) | 1 | Heat pipe ½" | — | Plugged vertically into the perpendicular leg of the J1 T-joint inside the 4" PVC body, forming the internal channel of the hemostatic mechanism. |
| Hose connection adapters (A1) | 2 | Adapter ½" to ¼" | $5.00 | Adapters that step the ½" pipe ends down to a ¼" connection for the latex hose, fitted at both ends of the mechanism. |
| Internal cavity insert (B) | 1 | Modeling balloon ½" | $1.00 | Inserted into the 4" PVC body. Provides the internal compression target the Foley catheter balloon presses against when inflated. |
| Fluid System | ||||
| Water conduit hose | 1 | Latex hose | $4.00 | Connected to both ends of the mechanism via the A1 adapters; carries the water around the circuit. |
| Connection sealant | 1 | Teflon tape | $0.25 | Seals the hose connections against leaks. |
| Fluid pressure pump | 1 | Water pump (fumigator) | $15.00 | Hand-operated. |
| Water reservoir | 1 | Plastic water bottle | $1.50 | Collects water returning from the simulator circuit; the source suggests a bottle larger than 32 oz, and a clean bottle can be repurposed. |
| Hose securing ties | 1 | Plastic ties (bag of 10) | $1.00 | Hold the hose at multiple points along the frame; not overtightened, so flow is not restricted. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Resources and Preparation
Source PDF: Hemostatic Foley Simulator — Step by Step Building Guide[1]
Safety note: The source recommends safety glasses, a safety gown, and gloves for all cutting and drilling operations — these begin in this phase.
Sourcing note: CrashSavers provides the materials in a kit box with the manual; without the box, the manual links cutting diagrams so the parts can be made by a carpenter or at home.
Step 1: Cut all ½" heat pipes to the lengths in the source PDF code-letter table: P1 = 23 cm (×4), P2 = 36 cm (×2), P3 = 32 cm (×2), P4 = 12.5 cm (×4), P5 = 36 cm (×2), P6 = 15 cm (×1), P7 = 8 cm (×1). Sand all cut edges with 400-grit sandpaper.
Step 2: Cut two 20 cm lengths of the 4" PVC pipe — one for the mechanism (wound) body and one for the upper body. Sand all cut edges smooth.
Step 3: Dry-fit all PVC joints (J1 T-joints and J2 elbows) to verify fit before applying PVC glue. PVC glue bonds are permanent — verify alignment before committing.
Phase 2: Fabrication — Support Frame
Step 1: Build the first short side of the base (P1 + J1 + P1) and cap each open end with a J2 elbow. Dry-fit first, then apply PVC glue. (PDF Section 1.3.1 Step 1.)
Step 2: Insert a P2 long pipe into each J2 elbow; cap the open ends with J2 elbows; build and install the second short side (P1 + J1 + P1) to close the base rectangle. Apply PVC glue and allow the base joints to cure before handling (follow the cure time on your PVC glue product). (PDF Steps 2–4.)
Step 3: Insert the two P3 vertical leg pipes into the J1 T-joints in the middle of each base short side. Apply PVC glue to secure. (PDF Step 5.)
Step 4: Cap each P3 leg with a J1 T-joint at the top, oriented so the side openings face laterally outward. (PDF Step 6.)
Step 5: Insert two P4 short pipes into each upper J1 cap, extending laterally outward in opposite directions (4 P4 pipes total). Cap each P4 outer end with a J2 elbow (4 J2 elbows). (PDF Steps 7–8.)
Step 6: Connect the J2 elbows on each lateral side with a P5 long pipe, forming the upper longitudinal closure. Apply PVC glue and allow to cure. The elevated upper frame is now complete. (PDF Step 9.)
Phase 3: Fabrication — Mechanism and Bodies
Step 1: Assemble the internal mechanism: run the P6 heat pipe through the straight axis of a J1 T-joint, and plug the P7 heat pipe into the perpendicular leg. (PDF Section 1.3.2 Step 1.)
Step 2: Drill the mechanism 4" PVC body to pass the ½" mechanism pipe (P6) through it and to admit the Foley catheter (the tools list includes a drill with ⅛" and ½" bits; the source's diagram shows the body with the pipe through it and a small opening, but does not detail the exact hole layout). Insert the modeling balloon (B) into this body as the compression target, then pass the P6 pipe through and seat the mechanism inside; secure the J1 T-joint with a little PVC glue where needed. (PDF Section 1.3.2 Steps 2–4.)
Step 3: Mount the mechanism body on the lower frame. ⚑ Open for review: the build diagrams (PDF Section 1.3.2 Step 6) also show a second 4" PVC body mounted on the elevated upper rail, but the source does not state its function — build and mount it as shown, pending confirmation of its role. (PDF Section 1.3.2 Steps 5–6.)
Phase 4: Assembly — Fluid Circuit
Step 1: Attach the ½"-to-¼" adapters (A1) to both ends of the P6 mechanism pipe where it protrudes from the 4" PVC body. These adapters reduce the pipe diameter to accept the 5 mm latex hose. (PDF Section 1.3.2 Step 2.)
Step 2: Attach a length of the 5 mm latex hose to each A1 adapter — one segment runs to the pump and one to the reservoir. (PDF Section 1.3.2 Step 3.)
Step 3: Route the hose along the frame, securing it with plastic ties at multiple points. Do not overtighten the ties — they should hold the hose without restricting fluid flow.
Step 4: Connect the fumigator pump to the inlet hose end, using Teflon tape to seal the connection; place the other hose end into the water reservoir (e.g. the plastic bottle, larger than 32 oz). The circuit is now complete: pump → mechanism → reservoir. (PDF Section 2.2 Steps 1–2.)
Step 5: Fill the reservoir with water. Prime the pump and mechanism by pumping several times. Verify that water flows through the circuit and returns to the reservoir without leaks; the source recommends testing this before final installation. Tighten any hose connections or ties as needed.
Note: the source's finished-build photographs show the assembled PVC bodies wrapped in a fabric cover (the limb surface the Foley is inserted through). This cover is not listed among the source's materials, so it is an undocumented addition.
References
- Source PDF: Hemostatic Foley Simulator — Step by Step Building Guide (materials shopping list, code-letter table, and build diagrams).
- CrashSavers project page: CrashSavers Trauma on Appropedia.
- CrashSavers Foley simulator page: CrashSavers Trauma — Foley Simulator (source for the 45–90 minute build time, the ~$45.55 cost, and the pilot-test outcome).
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hemostatic Foley Simulator — Step by Step Building Guide. CrashSavers.
| Alternative names | Hemostatic Foley Simulator CrashSavers Foley Simulator |
|---|
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Foley Catheter Tamponade Simulator". Appropedia. Retrieved July 15, 2026. |