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 is designed for nurses, midwives and clinical officers in low- and middle-income countries. The module requires prior pelvic-examination experience; this simulator does not teach pelvic speculum examination.[1]
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | 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 metal uterine sound touches the foil-lined vaginal wall. This gives real-time feedback on a break in the aseptic "no-touch" technique the learner practises. The clay cervixes mount on three 3D-printed uterus models of differing depth, with lids, for 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. These are different local component examples: the Nigerian table includes a buzzer, while the Ugandan table marks the buzzer unused and includes an optional LED or lamp in its combined electrical-component cost. They are not costs for an identical buzzer-only arrangement.[1] |
| 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 inspected source module does not provide downloadable STL geometry. A source model file or a separately developed reconstruction is needed before printing. 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. A filament dryer removes moisture from PLA. For practice, obtain copper and hormonal IUDs, gloves, and sponge-holding metal forceps or an Allis tissue clamp to hold the clay cervix. Use insulated alligator clips attached directly to the metal sound. The source reports that a heavier tenaculum can tear the clay cervix. A curved sound requires the angled support arrangement described below; a straightened malleable sound is an alternative reported in user testing.[1] |
| 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 with a smooth, rounded os. Cervical dimensions are supported by published cervical measurements.[2] The os form follows documented colposcopic appearances.[3] |
| Cervix (parous) | 1 | Oil-based modelling clay | - | Light pink, stiffer modelling clay 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. These three simulated sounding depths are specified in the developer module.[4] The models are reusable. The inspected module provides no downloadable STL files. |
| Vaginal canal (body) | 1 | Paper | - | Rolled paper tube forming the vaginal canal, lined with aluminium foil for the feedback circuit. Vaginal dimensions are supported by published pelvic-examination literature.[5] |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support for the curved-sound arrangement | 1 set, when using a curved sound | Gynecologic Simulator base and support pillars | - | Holds the canal at 45° while the uterus is raised until the cervical opening is centred on the canal. A roll of masking tape and a notebook are the source-reported elevation supports. |
| 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 | Insulated 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
For general STL-file preparation, see working with PLA and STL files. The original uterus-model files are still required; the printing advice below does not supply their geometry.
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. Use fresh PLA, use a filament dryer to dry filament that has absorbed moisture, and watch the first layers for adhesion, as advised in the source troubleshooting section.
Print-file requirement: the inspected source module describes the uterus models and print settings but does not provide downloadable STL files. Obtain the original files or a separately developed reconstruction before printing.
Before use: 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 insulated alligator clips. Wear gloves during training, and clip directly to the metal uterine sound so no bare wire is exposed.
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.
Before use: confirm that the buzzer activates when the uterine sound contacts the foil-lined wall and remains inactive when there is no contact.
Step 6. When using a curved metal uterine sound, use the Gynecologic Simulator base and support pillars to angle the canal at 45° and elevate the uterus until the cervical os is centred on the canal. The module describes a roll of masking tape and a notebook beneath the uterus. It also reports successful use of a straightened malleable sound with the canal flush against the uterus model.[1]
Assembly video: Vaginal Canal Assembly Video
Complete assembly video: Complete IUD Insertion Simulator Assembly Video
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Medical Makers. STARS - Intrauterine Device (IUD) Insertion, including Cervix and Vaginal Canal (with Augmented Feedback) Simulator and 3D Printed Uterus Simulators. Appropedia.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Medical Makers. 3D Printed Uterus Simulators. Original developer build.
- ↑ 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.
| 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 October 2, 2026. |