TU Delft Biomedical Engineering for Global Health Lab
A training phantom for a vesicovaginal fistula repair
A training phantom for vesicovaginal fistula repair was developed to train medical doctors in the treatment of simple fistulas by the transvaginal approach. The phantom is produced of 3D printed and silicone parts.
Fistula training phantom In many low- and middle-income countries, many women suffer from vesicovaginal fistulas. In this project, a phantom model for a vesicovaginal fistula repair was developed to train medical doctors in the treatment of simple fistulas by the transvaginal approach.
The phantom consists out of 3D printed PLA and silicone parts and can therefore be easily produced in many areas around the world. The framework and the moulds for the required organs were 3D printed with PLA, and silicone was then poured into the moulds. The cervix, the vulva, and a plate that closes off the bladder were all made with Dragon Skin 10 without an additive. To mimic the urethra a tube of natural rubber was used, and to mimic the connecting fascia between the bladder and vagina and to connect the organs silicone glue was used.
So far, a clinical validation test was performed by two dutch gynaecologists to validate the overall initial model, the representation of the materials, and whether the procedural steps of excising, dissecting, and suturing of the tissue could be performed. We are currently testing the manufacturing and use of this model in Nepal and Kenya.
We aim to built a online open source manual on production and use in the near future. Please reach out if you are intersted to be involved in this project.
Contact: j.dankelman@tudelft.nl or r.m.oosting@tudelft.nl
Students working on this project:
Tink Voskamp (graduated in 2022 with a master degree in Biomedical Engineering at TU Delft)
To read the graduation report:
Clinicians involved:
Dr. Theo Wiggers
