Can medical students practice ultrasound techniques during training with the chest drain trainer?
Yes. The Advanced Chest Drain Pads are made of an echolucent material that helps support a wide range of ultrasound simulations. These pads are ideal for practicing the Seldinger technique of placing a tube in the pleural cavity via a guidewire.
Why does the chest tube trainer come with two different types of chest drain pads?
To ensure ongoing cost efficiency for courses, Limbs & Things create the Standard & Advanced Pads to support different training requirements:
- Standard Pads – these foam pads are designed for skin incision and suturing as part of a blunt dissection, and include a pleural layer on the back that has realistic give, and a “pop” on puncture. They also support the use of adhesive bandages
- Advanced Pads – these silicone pads are designed for ultrasound practice. The echolucent material is partially self-healing, allowing for a greater number of guidewire insertions. The pads also support blunt dissection, however, incisions from this procedure will not self-seal
Replacements are available in packs of 2 or 10 (frequency of replacement depends on procedures and efficiency).
Can we use existing supplies with the chest tube simulator and needle decompression simulator, or does it require specific equipment?
This trainer supports a full range of equipment, though there are some recommended items that the trainers have been tested on:
- Advanced Chest Drain Pads – optimal catheter, 12 FG
- Needle Decompression Pads – optimal needle, 21g
Other sized catheters or needles can be used, but the above recommendations will help prolong the life of the chest pads.
Troubleshooting
Our chest drain simulator is leaking fluids
Water leakage is the most common query related to the chest trainer, and usually solved with one of the following:
- Wrong pad – water leaking from around the edge or through the pad - the chest model is supplied with two different types of pad for chest drain procedures, the Standard foam pad, and the Advanced silicone pad. Only the Advanced pad is designed for use with fluids
- Pad end of life – water leaking through previous needle sticks or incisions – Advanced pads support multiple procedures, after prolonged use, the self-healing material will become less effective and will require replacement
- Not fitted properly – the Advanced pad needs to have a good seal to keep the internal water chamber contained. Below are some tips on ensuring there’s a strong seal
Tips:
- Ensure ribs are fitted into the pads to ensure rigidity
- Check you are using the correct rib frame, and it is oriented the correct way (Rib Frames are marked with Left or Right, and an arrow to indicate the top)
- Fit the pad into the frame, the silicone edges should be flush with the inside of the frame
- Place the frame onto the correct side of the chest, the screws should be centred along the notches along its edge
- Place a slotted retaining knob on each screw and hand tighten them (Helpful hint: tighten each knob halfway, then hand tighten them again, so the frame is flush against the torso)
- Using the key supplied, tighten each knob to create a tight seal
Uncommon leakage issues:
- Tubing is not connected securely
- Clips on tubing are not closed correctly
- Cracked casing on the torso’s fluid chambers
If you are still experiencing issues, contact our customer service team for assistance.
You can also check out our Hints & Things video on setting up your Chest Drain & Needle Decompression Trainer.
