Brennan Marsh-Armstrong

Anatomical medical simulators are an integral part of both medical training and experimentation, as well as implant biohacking. However, commercial models typically range from thousands of dollars for simple one-piece designs to hundreds of thousands of dollars for computer-visualized designs. This cost limits the use of medically accurate training models outside of well-funded medical schools. Using only a 3D printer, silicone, ballistics gel, balloons, and yarn, I’ve built on the work of others to develop DIY methods of mimicking commercial medical simulators for a small fraction of their cost (usually under 10%). These models can include pulsatile arteries, superficial rolling veins, nerves, skin, muscle planes, bones, and articulating joints. They are ultrasound-able, recyclable, and, with the addition of infrared tracking cameras, can be integrated into virtual environments for internal visualization. Projects like this lower the barrier to entry for citizen scientists and less funded biohackers to experiment and explore medical implants, procedures, and ultrasound.

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Brennan Marsh-Armstrong is a 4th year medical student at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, where he also conducts research in medical simulation and development of affordable and multi-modality medical training devices. Prior, he worked as an ophthalmology researcher and computer science studying retinal vasculature in disease pathologies at University of California David. Before that, he received Bachelor of Arts at from Amherst College in Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Computer Science while researching unique phosphatase inhibition mechanisms. In this upcoming year he hopes to matriculate into an anesthesia residency where he will also continue research on medical simulation and education.