TissueDB/Simulators/Pediatric Forearm Fracture Simulator
General Information
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Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of pediatric distal forearm fractures — used to train clinicians (traditional bonesetters, pre-hospital providers, nurses, medical officers) to identify buckle (torus) fractures and cortical break fractures and to make appropriate referrals in settings without access to X-ray imaging. The simulator is a gelatine phantom with embedded 3D-printed pediatric female forearm bone models. It supports unblinded training (transparent gelatine with white PLA bone models) and blinded training (opaque gelatine with black PLA bone models). Each pour sets in approximately 4 hours of refrigeration.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| General Information | Source: Pediatric Distal Forearm Fractures/Pediatric Forearm Simulators.[1] Part of the Pediatric Distal Forearm Fractures SELF module. Funded by a grant from the Intuitive Foundation. |
| Features and Basic Operation | Two training modes: unblinded (transparent gelatine with white PLA bone models) and blinded (opaque gelatine with black PLA bone models). Six numbered bone models per set (#1–#6 for unblinded, #5–#10 for blinded). |
| Current Development Status | Pilot-tested |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | Approximately 4 hours (refrigeration time to set) |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | 3D printer (or access to 3D printing service) for printing bone models and mould from STL files. See Pediatric Distal Forearm Fractures/3D Printed Pediatric Female Forearm Bone Models for bone model specifications. |
| Version | Not stated in source |
| Development Team Contact Information | SELF Pediatric Distal Forearm Fractures team (Intuitive Foundation grant) |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Tissue | ~800 mL per simulator | Gelatin | USD 2–5 | Mix 80 g unflavoured gelatine in 400 mL room-temperature water, add 400 mL heated water, mix until dissolved. For blinded training: add food colouring (40 blue + 20 red + 20 yellow drops, or 80 black). Transparent for unblinded; opaque for blinded. Refrigerate 4 hours to set. |
| Bone | 6 per set | PLA | USD 1–5 | 3D-printed pediatric female forearm bone models (radius and ulna). White PLA for unblinded, black PLA for blinded training. Models #1–#6 unblinded, #5–#10 blinded. Align R and U markers on bone model base with mould arrows. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Printed Pediatric Forearm Simulator Mould | 1 | 3D printed from provided STL files | USD 1–5 (filament) or USD 5–25 (print service) | Reusable. Clean with cold water, mild detergent, and toothbrush after each use. Do not use a dishwasher — thermoplastic may deform in heated water. (PLA filament cost USD 20–30/kg via Amazon; print-service cost USD 3.50–7.50/cubic inch via FDM PLA service providers, May 2026.) |
| Large Plate or Tray | 1 | USD 7–15 | Catches liquid spillage during mould pouring. (Walmart, May 2026.) | |
| Cellophane Wrap | Per simulator | Clear | USD 5–15 | Lines mould interior for easy extraction. Remove from finished simulator. (Amazon, Hallmark, May 2026.) |
| Large Measuring Cup | 1 | USD 8–25 | For mixing gelatine solution (~800 mL capacity). (Pyrex via Amazon, May 2026.) | |
| Weigh Scale | 1 | USD 10–25 | For measuring 80 g gelatine powder per pour. (Amazon Basics, KitchenAid, Etekcity, May 2026.) | |
| Knife | 1 | USD 10–25 | For loosening simulator from mould. (Amazon, Walmart, May 2026.) | |
| Needle Nose Pliers | 1 | USD 8–20 | For gripping bone model base during extraction. (Home Depot, Amazon, May 2026.) | |
| Spoon | 1 | USD 5–15 | For mixing gelatine solution. (Walmart, Amazon, May 2026.) | |
| Food Colouring | Per blinded simulator | Blue, red, yellow (or black) | USD 1–5 | Blinded training only. 40 blue + 20 red + 20 yellow drops, or 80 black drops per simulator. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Prepare simulators for unblinded training
Step 1: Place mould on a large plate or tray in case of liquid spillage.
Step 2: Line the interior of the mould with clear cellophane wrap.
_1-6.jpg)
Step 3: Place a white PLA 3D printed pediatric female forearm bone model into the mould.
Note: Align the arrows on the base of the bone models with the arrows on the ends of the mould. The letter "R" (radius) on the base of each bone model aligns with the "R" on the end of the mould, and the letter "U" (ulna) aligns with the "U" on the end of the mould.
Step 4: Heat 400 mL of water in a kettle, on a stove, or in a microwave.
Step 5: Add 80 g of unflavoured gelatine to a large measuring cup filled with 400 mL of water at room temperature.
Step 6: Mix well to remove any solid masses.
Step 7: Add the heated 400 mL of water to the gelatine solution.
Step 8: Mix well so all the gelatine dissolves.
Step 9: Pour the gelatine solution into the mould.
Step 10: Place the mould carefully in the refrigerator while avoiding spillage.
Step 11: Wait 30 minutes for the gelatine to settle into the mould, then pour the leftover gelatine solution to fill up the mould.
Step 12: Refrigerate the mould for 4 hours to set completely.
Step 13: Slide a knife gently between the mould and cellophane to help loosen the mould.
Step 14: While an assistant stabilizes the mould with both hands on a flat surface, grab the base of each bone model with needle nose pliers and carefully extract the simulator from the mould.
Step 15: Remove the cellophane from the simulator.
Step 16: After use, wipe off the ultrasound gel gently and store the simulator in a refrigerator.
Step 17: Clean the mould and bone model with cold water, mild detergent, and a toothbrush for reuse.
Phase 2: Prepare simulators for blinded training
Step 1: Place mould on a large plate or tray in case of liquid spillage.
Step 2: Line the interior of the mould with clear cellophane wrap.
_5-10.jpg)
Step 3: Place a black PLA 3D printed pediatric female forearm bone model into the mould.
Note: Align the arrows on the base of the bone models with the arrows on the ends of the mould. The letter "R" (radius) on the base of each bone model aligns with the "R" on the end of the mould, and the letter "U" (ulna) aligns with the "U" on the end of the mould.
Step 4: Heat 400 mL of water in a kettle, on a stove, or in a microwave.
Step 5: Add 80 g of unflavoured gelatine to a large measuring cup filled with 400 mL of water at room temperature.
Step 6: Mix well to remove any solid masses.
Step 7: Add the heated 400 mL of water to the gelatine solution.
Step 8: Mix well so all the gelatine dissolves.
Step 9: Add 40 drops of blue food colouring, 20 drops red food colouring, and 20 drops yellow food colouring (or 80 drops of black food colouring) and mix well.
Step 10: Pour the gelatine solution into the mould.
Step 11: Place the mould carefully in the refrigerator while avoiding spillage.
Step 12: Wait 30 minutes for the gelatine to settle into the mould, then pour the leftover gelatine solution to fill up the mould.
Step 13: Refrigerate the mould for 4 hours to set completely.
Step 14: Slide a knife gently between the mould and cellophane to help loosen the mould.
Step 15: While an assistant stabilizes the mould with both hands on a flat surface, grab the base of the bone model with needle nose pliers and carefully extract the simulator from the mould.
Step 16: Remove the cellophane from the simulator.
Step 17: After use, wipe off the ultrasound gel gently and store the simulator in a refrigerator.
Step 18: Clean the mould and bone model with cold water, mild detergent, and a toothbrush for reuse.
Note: Do not use a dishwasher to clean the mould or bone model because the thermoplastic may deform when exposed to heated water.
References
| Alternative names | Pediatric Forearm Simulator |
|---|
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | "TissueDB/Simulators/Pediatric Forearm Fracture Simulator". Appropedia. 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026. |