TissueDB/Simulators/Long Bone Drilling Simulator
General Information
Long bone drilling is the psychomotor skill this trainer rehearses for learners new to using a drill. The Long Bone Drilling Simulator adapts ETALO's Basic Bone Drilling Simulator (Education To Advance Limb-Saving Options for Open Fractures and Osteomyelitis) into a low-cost build. A bone analog sits in a stabiliser on a flat surface; the learner drills into it. Two variants exist: bamboo with clay, and PPR pipe with play-dough. The original instructions are at the ETALO Basic Bone Drilling Simulator page on Appropedia.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| General Information | Low-cost bone drilling trainer with two material variants: bamboo with clay, and PPR pipe with play-dough. A stabiliser holds the bone analog in place during drilling practice. Source: ETALO Basic Bone Drilling Simulator on Appropedia. |
| Features and Basic Operation | The learner drills into a bone analog — bamboo or PPR pipe — held in a clay or play-dough stabiliser on a flat surface. This rehearses basic bone drilling for learners new to using a drill. An optional plunge-detector layer is documented separately. |
| Current Development Status | Pilot-tested |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | Not stated in source., ~US$10 |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Hand or electric drill with drill bit |
| Version | Not stated in source |
| Development Team Contact Information | ETALO — orthopaedic surgeons, engineers, and education/assessment specialists from Uganda, USA, and Canada. Developed for the Global Surgical Training Challenge, 2020. |
Additional Bone Layer Options
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The following bone analog materials are listed in the ETALO Basic Simulator Matrix but are not demonstrated in the instructional videos:
- Animal bone
- Play-dough pipe (hardened)
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone | 1 piece | Bamboo | $1–3 | Variant A: Small-diameter bamboo stick or pole. Acts as bone for drilling practice. |
| Bone | 1 piece | PPR Pipe | $2–5 | Variant B: PPR (Polypropylene Random Copolymer) pipe. Small-diameter plumbing pipe. Acts as bone for drilling practice. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stabiliser | Sufficient to stabilise bone | Clay (moldable) or Play-dough | $3–10 | Non-hardening modelling clay (Variant A) or play-dough (Variant B). Holds bone analog in place during drilling. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Variant A — Bamboo + Clay
Step 1: Apply moldable clay to a hard flat surface as a stabiliser.
Step 2: Insert the bamboo (acting as bone) into the clay so it is held securely in place for drilling.
Phase 2: Variant B — PPR Pipe + Play-Dough
Step 1: Apply play-dough to a hard flat surface as a stabiliser.
Step 2: Insert the PPR pipe (acting as bone) into the play-dough so it is held securely in place for drilling.
References
Video Demonstrations
- Drilling with an electric drill — Video demonstration of electric drill operation on bone analog
- Animated Video of Drilling Bone — Animation showing proper drilling technique and plunge detection
Build Reference Documents
- ETALO Basic Simulator Table — Matrix of bone analog materials and properties
- Plunge Detection Layer — Technical reference for the ETALO Plunge Detector, an optional separate layer.
| Alternative names | ETALO Basic Bone Drilling Simulator Bone Drilling Simulator |
|---|
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Long Bone Drilling Simulator". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026. |