TissueDB/Simulators/IUD Insertion Simulator
The IUD Insertion Simulator is a low-cost trainer built from oil-based modelling clay, paper, aluminium foil and a 3D-printed uterus, for practising aseptic intrauterine-device (IUD) insertion — sounding the uterus, loading the IUD in its sterile package, setting the gauge to the sounded depth, and deploying the IUD, for copper and hormonal IUDs. It has three components: (1) a nulliparous cervix and (2) a parous cervix in modelling clay, and (3) a paper-and-foil vaginal canal wired as an "augmented feedback" circuit that sounds a buzzer when the uterine sound touches the vaginal wall, so the learner can practise a no-touch aseptic technique. The clay cervixes mount on a set of 3D-printed uterus models of varying depth for blinded insertion practice. It is a Medical Makers STARS module within the Global Surgical Training Challenge, for training nurses, midwives, and clinical officers in low- and middle-income countries.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | An augmented-feedback circuit sounds a buzzer when the metal uterine sound touches the foil-lined vaginal wall, giving real-time feedback on a break in aseptic "no-touch" technique. Three 3D-printed uterus models of differing depth, with lids, allow blinded insertion practice. |
| Current Development Status | First pass engineering — the simulator has been built and user-tested in Uganda and Nigeria, but no published validation study establishing face, transfer or clinical validity was identified. |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | - Source-reported costs: cervix and vaginal-canal simulator — US$7.26 in Uganda and US$43.20 in Nigeria; trio of 3D-printed uterus simulators — US$5.69 in Canada, US$44.39 in Uganda and US$45.00 in Nigeria. Source-explicit Uganda combined total: US$51.65. |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | For locally printing the uterus models, a single-extruder fused-deposition-modeling (FDM) 3D printer with a build area of at least 141 × 148 mm is required. The original STL geometry has not been released by the source module, so locally reconstructed geometry must not be represented as the source files. The cervix and vaginal-canal components use a ruler, pencil or chopstick, and scissors. During training, a metal uterine sound is connected to the augmented-feedback circuit. |
| Version | Version 1 |
| Development Team Contact Information | Medical Makers (Julielynn Wong, Founder & CEO), as part of the STARS (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) module of the Global Surgical Training Challenge. No public researcher email is given in the source. |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervix (nulliparous) | 1 | Oil-based modelling clay | - | Light pink, stiffer modelling clay; form a cylinder 2.5 cm in diameter and 3.0 cm long with a smooth, rounded os. Cervical dimensions are supported by published cervical measurements.[1] The os form follows documented colposcopic appearances.[2] |
| Cervix (parous) | 1 | Oil-based modelling clay | - | Light pink, stiffer modelling clay; form a cylinder 3.0 cm in diameter and 3.0 cm long with the wider "fish mouth" os described for the parous cervix. |
| 3D-printed uterus (mounting body) | 3 (one per depth) | PLA | - | Three uterus models with lids provide uterine depths of 5.0, 7.0 and 10.0 cm for blinded insertion practice. The cervix models mount on the uterus models. The selected uterine depths follow published uterine measurements.[3] The models are reusable. The source STL geometry has not been released. |
| Vaginal canal (body) | 1 | Paper | - | Rolled paper tube forming the vaginal canal, lined with aluminium foil for the feedback circuit. The source build uses a 4.5 cm diameter, 14.0 cm circumference and 13.0 cm length. Vaginal dimensions are supported by published pelvic-examination literature.[4] |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedback-circuit lining | 1 piece | Aluminum foil | - | Lines the inside of the vaginal canal and completes the feedback circuit when the metal uterine sound touches it. |
| Feedback buzzer | 1 | Buzzer | - | Sounds when the uterine sound contacts the foil-lined vaginal-canal wall. |
| Feedback power source | 1 | 9 V battery | - | Powers the augmented-feedback circuit. |
| Circuit connectors | Minimum 4 for the source costed build; otherwise as needed | Alligator clips | - | Connect the foil lining, buzzer and battery. One lead connects to the metal uterine sound. |
| Fastening | As needed | Tape | - | Secures the rolled vaginal canal and circuit components during assembly. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Print the uterus models
Step 1. Use a single-extruder FDM 3D printer with a build area of at least 141 × 148 mm to make three PLA uterus models with uterine depths of 5.0, 7.0 and 10.0 cm and their corresponding lids.
Step 2. Use the source-specified "High Speed" print profile with default infill, no supports, no raft and no brim. The source specifies no post-processing.
Source-file limitation: the source module instructs users to download the uterus STL files, but those files have not been released. From December 2021 to July 2025, its 3D Model Files section named the lid and the 5.0, 7.0 and 10.0 cm uterus models but marked the downloads "Coming soon!". The table was later removed without publication of the files. The dimensions and print settings are documented; the original geometry is not. Any locally created CAD is a reconstruction and must not be described as the source STL.
Editorial QA: confirm that any locally reconstructed uterus models correspond to the documented depths and that their lids fit before using them for training.
Phase 2: Nulliparous cervix
Step 1. Collect light pink oil-based, stiffer modelling clay, a ruler, and a pencil or chopstick.
Step 2. Roll the clay into a cylinder 2.5 cm in diameter and 3.0 cm long.
Step 3. Insert the pencil or chopstick tip through the centre to form the smooth, rounded os of a nulliparous cervix.
Step 4. Fit the nulliparous cervix onto the pegs of a 3D-printed uterus model.
Phase 3: Parous cervix
Step 1. Collect the same materials used for the nulliparous cervix.
Step 2. Roll the clay into a cylinder 3.0 cm in diameter and 3.0 cm long.
Step 3. Use the pencil or chopstick tip to shape the wider "fish mouth" os of a parous cervix.
Step 4. Fit the parous cervix onto the pegs of a 3D-printed uterus model.
Phase 4: Vaginal canal with augmented feedback
Step 1. Cut paper and aluminium foil to size with scissors.
Step 2. Line the paper with aluminium foil and roll the assembly into a tube 4.5 cm in diameter, 14.0 cm in circumference and 13.0 cm long.
Step 3. Secure the rolled canal with tape.
Step 4. Connect the foil lining to the buzzer and 9 V battery with alligator clips.
Step 5. Connect one circuit lead to the metal uterine sound so that contact between the sound and the foil-lined wall closes the circuit and activates the buzzer.
Editorial QA: confirm that the buzzer activates when the uterine sound contacts the foil-lined wall and remains inactive when there is no contact.
Assembly video: Vaginal Canal Assembly Video
Complete assembly video: Complete IUD Insertion Simulator Assembly Video
References
- ↑ Londero AP, Bertozzi S, Fruscalzo A, Driul L, Marchesoni D. Ultrasonographic assessment of cervix size and its correlation with female characteristics, pregnancy, BMI, and other anthropometric features. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2011;283(3):545–550. DOI: 10.1007/s00404-010-1377-5. PMID: 20145939.
- ↑ Atlas of Colposcopy: Principles and Practice. World Health Organization. Source.
- ↑ Parmar AM, Agarwal DP, Hathila NC, Singel TC. Sonographic measurements of uterus and its correlation with different parameters in parous and nulliparous women. Int J Med Sci Educ. 2016;3(3).
- ↑ Bates CK, Carroll N, Potter J. The challenging pelvic examination. J Gen Intern Med. 2011;26(6):651–657. DOI: 10.1007/s11606-010-1610-8. PMID: 21225474.
Digital Resources
| Alternative names | Cervix and Vaginal Canal (with Augmented Feedback) Simulator |
|---|
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Organizations | Medical Makers |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/IUD Insertion Simulator". Appropedia. Retrieved September 12, 2026. |