title: A novel and inexpensive ballistic gel phantom for ultrasound training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasonography use is increasing in emergency departments, and ultrasound education is now recommended in resident training. Ultrasound phantoms are used in many institutions for training purposes. The purpose of this study is to describe an inexpensive and simple method to create ultrasound-imaging models for the purpose of education and practice using clear ballistic gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clear ballistic gel is used to simulate tissue for firing practice and other military evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The transparent and durable ultrasound phantom we produced was clear and contained four vessel lumens. The images obtained using the phantom were of high quality and compared well to normal sonographic anatomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clear ballistic brand gel is unique because it is inexpensive, does not dry out, does not decay, is odorless, and is reusable. The ultrasound images obtained using the phantom are realistic and useful for ultrasound education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Kartchner
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stolz
authors.affiliation: Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Biffar
authors.affiliation: Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Allan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Srikar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adhikari
keywords: Emergency Medicine; Medical education; Phantoms; Teaching materials; Ultrasonography; imaging; interventional