Medical Simulation: Creating Your Own Silicone Suture Training Pad

[@amber.create]

This would help amazingly with tattooing skill. It's stretchable and perfectly explains the depth a needle should really go.

[@smoothon]

That's a great idea!

[@greenteaclock3494]

Has anybody tried it? That’s what I’m looking for

[@sydneyhall7912]

Litterally why I'm here, google did not affirmatively answer this :/

[@The85F0X]

Was looking for a way to make my own moulage simulation. Figure I could use a small squirt bottle and some surgical tube to make a bleeding look. Thanks for this vid!!!

[@pabrad1]

Easy to use products combined with simple design and methodology, you can use these products to make so many different med sim training devices !

[@dcraven4806]

Commercial suture pads are very expensive. This is a great option. My question is this... Shore 30 seems about 3 times the hardness I'm seeing for actual skin. Everything I can find on the web points to a shore hardness of about 10 or less for skin and 30 to 40 for muscle. Can you clarify why you're using Shore 30 throughout? I understand that Ecoflex 10 is tacky but wouldn't 20 for the skin, 10 for the subcutaneous fat (Ecoflex gel is perfect) and maybe a 30 for a muscle layer make sense? Would using Dragon Skin 10 eliminate the need for the powermesh? Would it adhere to the Ecoflex Gel? Would layering of Dragon Skin 10, Ecoflex Gel, Dragon Skin 30 be a good alternative that eliminates the need for the mesh and retains or improves realism?

[@smoothon]

+D Craven The Hardness of Ecoflex 00-30 is measured below the Shore A scale. It is much softer than a Shore 30 A. The powermesh is important to keep the sutures from tearing through. All platinum silicone should bond to each other in a layered-pour application.

[@thalespaulobatista4585]

Congrats for your tutorial. Regards

[@thalespaulobatista4585]

Many thanks!

[@thalespaulobatista4585]

Looks like great; congrats! May I add salt (for example at 1%) to obtain electrical conductivity? Regards

[@smoothon]

Can you send us a tech ticket? Our team can help you - www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@1FRANHER1]

Hi! Is t he powermesh really necesary? Is there something I can use as substitute? Great video, I'll try making one myself!

[@smoothon]

The powermesh actually holds the sutures in place. Other types of open weave fabric may work also.

[@SteelCityAmn7]

@smooth-on is it better to use this ecoflex or Dragon Skin FX Pro for creating a larger pad of "skin". I want to use it over an abdominal area to create a realistic laparotomy experience.

[@smoothon]

Hi there! This is a good question for our tech support team, can you send them a ticket here? www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/ Thanks for watching!

[@meganhaslam1956]

Approximately how many of the training pads can be made with one kit of Ecoflex? Similar to the size created in the videoThanks

[@smssuper]

thanks for tutorial.. but I figured and used plastic lunch box and put the same layers on the bottom too.. the result was great.. and mess free since the silicone is contained in a box and no more silicone running off the side.. also when using the box, you are not bound to mixing small volume each time so that the silicone doesn't run off the sides.. So, i guess you smooth on better make new tutorial using any plastic box method and forget about the plywood.. thanks again

[@moonboy2795]

smssuper yeah but how did you stretch the fabric inside the box?

[@thiagoramalhofranca7104]

Yeah.. How did you strecht the mesh?

[@donovaneretzfarrakan5716]

Beautiful

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching! 😃

[@jennifersanders3233]

Hello, I was wondering if I could use parchment paper instead of textured vinyl?

[@smoothon]

Interesting idea, but it would require testing.

[@nganofthat992]

How many times can you practice on this before the silicone starts to ruin?

[@smoothon]

It depends on the type of incision and stitching performed on the surface.

[@samirchtiti8808]

Environ combien de coussinets d'entraînement peuvent être fabriqués avec un kit d'Ecoflex ? Semblable à la taille créée dans la vidéoMerci

[@smoothon]

Can you send us a tech ticket? Our team can help you - www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@JulioMarquezD]

Hello, how can I purchase these products in Peru?

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Julio Marquez. You can find a full list of Smooth-On distributors here - www.smooth-on.com/distributors/

[@ClaymicHD]

Hi, can i use 00-10 instead Ecoflex Gel? Do you think is a good option?

[@smoothon]

You could try this, but the result will be much firmer.

[@74virgil]

I noticed that among the products required is Ease Release. This product is not shown in the video. Do I need it. I have already bought everything else!

[@smoothon]

+74virgil Ease Release is optional for this process as long as a non-porous textured material is used.

[@dheborasantos4291]

Hello! I can't find the Ecoflex 00-30 here in Brazil. Can I use the Ecoflex 00-20 instead? Thanks!

[@smoothon]

Yes, Ecoflex 00-20 could be used instead of 00-30.

[@amyjeanlacuna3078]

Where can we possibly buy the materials needed on making this suture pads? we'd like to make bunch of it for the retdem of medical students. Is it economical? pls reply. :)

[@smoothon]

Thank you for watching. You can find your closest distributor here: www.smooth-on.com/distributors/

[@Daygorita]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS! I am soooooo going to do this. =)

[@fracid1292]

This is so cool!

[@UNCCSPSC]

We're having a lot of trouble getting the bottom layer (the layer sticking to the vinyl) to dry. We tried with and without ease release thinking that's the problem. We are on our third test and the consistency is the same and the product is just not drying and creating this greasy film.

[@smoothon]

+UNCCSPSC It sounds like perhaps the vinyl is causing some cure inhibition. Can you mix a small sample of the silicone in a cup to see if it cures normally? If it does, I would recommend trying another type of plastic or vinyl fabric.

[@irajbadrian2142]

Hi Please guide me on making tooth gums.

[@smoothon]

Can you send us a tech ticket? Our team can help you - www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@bonnarda]

Is there a disadvantage in using Dragonskin instead of Ecoflex 0030 for both the epidermis/dermis and muscle layers?

[@smoothon]

As long as the silicone is platinum cure, it will bond to itself. Many customers vary the silicone used.

[@conradc6228]

does it still feel like skin or can you feel the power mesh?

[@smoothon]

It would feel like skin on the surface

[@نورالهدىعباس-س5ك]

What is the difference between part A and part B?

[@smoothon]

The 2 parts must be mixed together to allow the material to cure into a solid rubber.

[@GERATI-Surgical]

Hi, I am struggling with the initial mix of Ecoflex part A and part B. When mixed together, they solidify too quickly and do not flow at all on the Fabric.Where am I going wrong?

[@smoothon]

Hi Aqeel, can you send your question to our tech department by using this form? www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@manmeet390]

Can I use any other product beside Ecoflex, like OOMOO-30 or Smoothcast-305? If possible can you suggest any other product?

[@smoothon]

+nevergiveup390 the reason Ecoflex was chosen is because the softness makes it an ideal human tissue analog.

[@sharonkeef0522]

@@smoothon is this food safe

[@marcosmolinamd3748]

How do you prevent the fat layer to pour out of the pad. It is very liquid when I tried to do it and sticks to my fingers from the borders. Any suggestions. Thanks !

[@smoothon]

Marcos Molina If the fat layer is 'pouring' from the pad, the silicone is most likely inhibited. Properly cured Ecoflex GEL should be soft and tacky but non flowing.

[@smssuper]

Marcos Molina just use a lunch box.. this way it's all clean

[@susandarr2745]

Can anyone answer the question about how many pads can be made, approximately the same size shown in video, with this equipment?

[@wheyisolat1]

is it also possible to order a pad like this made by you guys? :D

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Jannik Kijewski. We do not provide moldmaking services, but we do have a list of moldmakers on our website: www.smooth-on.com/moldmaker/

[@ogneanrazvan7553]

Ease release is necessary?

[@smoothon]

Ease Release 200 is recommended.

[@MohamedElfatihOmer]

Hi, how many pads can i make from 2 pint size ecoflex

[@smoothon]

This would depend on the dimensions of the pad, but a trial unit of Ecoflex covers about 1.16 square feet at 3/8" thickness.

[@carlosmarioperezlopera5367]

Señores en colombia quienes lo distribuyen gracias

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Carlos Mario Perez Lopera. You can find a full list of Smooth-On distributors here - www.smooth-on.com/distributors/

[@nayshaness]

How much do materials cost?

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Nayshaness Toro. You can find a full list of Smooth-On distributors who can provide pricing here - www.smooth-on.com/distributors/

[@palwinder5800]

Is it available to INDIA???

[@smoothon]

Our distributor list for your area can be found at - www.smooth-on.com/distributor-regions/middle-east-india/

[@Pukovnik141]

Isn't it cheaper to buy pig skin at local butchery? It would also be 100% realistic (just hydrate it if needed).

[@Tommo020788]

Pig skin is an actual organic material, and it will go rotten.

[@edieuro95]

i think we would use this for something else...

[@74virgil]

Can you apply staples instead of sutures?

[@smoothon]

Yes, this type of pad should respond well to staples.

[@74virgil]

I have found all of the products except the powermesh, where would I find that in Quebec canada? Is there another product that is similar? Thank you for your help!

[@smoothon]

You may be able to source 4-way stretch spandex from a fabric supplier.

[@karbonxiii]

+Smooth-On hey what benefit does the powermesh offer? if its not used does this not create a realistic skin?

[@smoothon]

+karbonxiii The powermesh strengthens the silicone, allowing the sutured to be pulled tight without them tearing through the silicone skin.