Application of 3D Printing in the Development of Lumbar Puncture and Epidural Simulators

This paper presents the development of 3D printed models of a lumbar puncture simulator and an epidural puncture simulator. For the lumbar puncture simulator two “pops” or losses of resistance were simulated when the needle penetrates 1) the ligamentum flavum ligament through the epidural space and 2) the dura mater which is a membrane of the thecal. A plastic tube inserted inside a silicone rubber tube gave the most realistic and second “pop.” The lumbar puncture simulator also included a partial plastic tube (with a foam insert) and a partial rubber tube that surrounded the plastic tube to simulate the first “pop.” For the epidural puncture simulator the needle does not enter as far as the lumbar puncture and only goes through the ligamentum flavum and then enters the epidural space. The simulators are being integrated into the Simulation Based Learning Experiences (SBLEs) in the College of Nursing.