A low-cost ultrasound phantom for teaching fascial plane blocks, with integrated electrical and haptic feedback

Abstract

Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks are increasingly used as part of multimodal peri-operative analgesia, yet opportunities for structured training in deliberate targeting of fascial planes remain limited. We describe a low-cost ultrasound phantom designed to teach core technical skills required for fascial plane blocks, including ultrasound recognition of tissue layers, tactile feedback on plane entry and accurate needle-tip positioning. The phantom combines readily available soft tissue analogues with a compliant film layer to simulate fascial resistance and a simple electrical circuit that provides objective confirmation of needle contact with defined anatomical boundaries. The design is material-agnostic, reproducible and adaptable to simulate techniques with or without bony end points. This ultrasound phantom provides an accessible educational tool which integrates sonographic, haptic and objective feedback for training in ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks across a range of teaching environments.