PH scientists develop improved model for ultrasound-guided training

Filipino scientists have developed an improved phantom model to help train medical professionals in performing ultrasound-guided obstetric and gynecologic procedures.

During the Department of Science and Technology’s Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference on Wednesday, project leader Dr. Melissa D.L. Amosco said that while ultrasound-guided procedures are less invasive, more accurate, and more cost-effective, they require skilled practitioners to be carried out successfully.

However, she noted a lack of accessible training tools, as many existing models are rigid and unable to simulate real-time movement.

"When performing ultrasound-guided procedures, practitioners must skillfully avoid critical organs in the body to access the ovary and other parts of the female reproductive system and obtain samples through aspiration or biopsy," she said.

Amosco said doctors started using simple training models as early as 2005, sometimes made from improvised materials like gloves and water.

But in 2021, changes in medical training led to wider use of ultrasound in more procedures, increasing the need for better training tools.

After further studies and training, Amosco’s team improved the model by:

• making the materials feel more like real human tissue;
• redesigning the molds to better match the body and make them easier to produce; and
• testing them through hands-on training with medical professionals.

She said the team has so far created two tissue-mimicking material (TMMs) with enhanced properties, built a full-size training model covering four gynecologic cases, published three studies, trained 14 specialists, and gathered data to evaluate how well the model works.

Amosco added that the project is expected to be completed by July or August.

"What remains at this point is refining the prototype based on feedback from clinicians who underwent training. We also need to optimize and characterize our gel material to generate more data and make our project output more publishable," she said.—MCG, GMA News