We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Scalable DICOM 3D-printed phantoms mimicking marine mammal tissues for blood collection training with PVC gel real-time feedback
Summary
Researchers developed a CT-derived, 3D-printed California sea lion pelvis model layered with anatomically tuned gels for veterinary blood-draw training, adding real-time needle sensing, closed-loop blood-flow feedback, particle image velocimetry characterization, and a hydrophobic sealing layer to mitigate plasticizer leaching from PVC gel components.
We introduce a scalable, DICOM-derived, 3D-printed California sea lion pelvis model for blood-collection training at the caudal gluteal site. CT-based segmentation yields layered anatomy, skin, blubber, muscle, a DICOM-derived artery, and bone, fabricated via SLA/FDM/gel casting and tuned by DMA on Humimic and PVC gels. New this year is real-time locational sensing of needle approach/tissue deformation; blood-flow rate characterization and collection via a closed-loop pump with inline sensing; full arterial incorporation with a compliant lumen; Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) flow characterization; and FISH (Flexibly Integrated Sealed Hydrophobic) EAP embedment to seal PVC-gel elements and mitigate plasticizer leaching, as indicated by DMA after aquatic immersion. The flow-enabled, instrumented model delivers anatomical fidelity, tunable compliance, and quantitative training metrics (position + flow), offering a reproducible pipeline for veterinary/biomedical education and a platform for future fluid–structure and durability studies.