It will serve as “practice dummies” for clinicians training in ultrasound-guided procedures in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN).
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) shared that it is currently supporting the development of a phantom model system.
In OB-GYN, ultrasound-guided procedures are used as a diagnostic imaging technique that the clinicians rely on for real-time visualization.
Primarily, it is utilized to to monitor and navigate a needle into the abdominopelvic region to reach the reproductive system.
And to perforn the procedure, expert hand-eye coordination is required from practitioners, so as to minimize the risk of injury or compromising other critical organs in the area.
Hence, a research team led by Dr. Melissa Amosco of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) is currently developing a local version of the phantom model system, which can be more accessible and flexible than currently available models.
According to Dr. Leslie Joy Lantisce-Diaz, co-investigator, existing tools are often rigid and difficult to customize for varying patient cases and since these tools are procured from abroad, they are usually expensive and largely inaccessible to local clinicians.
The current prototype of the local phantom model system already has two types of tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs), which imitates the abdominopelvic region comprising muscle, fat, and skin.
These TMMs can be adjusted to reflect the correct acoustic and mechanical signals used to define organs or masses such as tumors and cysts.
According to Dr. Lantisce-Diaz, the team also plans to conduct small-volume manufacturing to optimize the packaging of the system which will enable its deployment in different areas.
In response, the DOST-PCHRD has allocated more than PHP 4.99 million for the initiative.
“The DOST, through the PCHRD, allocated more than ₱4.99 million pesos to support this initiative, in recognition of the critical importance of nurturing the skills of our Filipino clinicians,” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.
“By utilizing home-grown tools to empower our own pool of medical professionals, we can overcome resource and skill gaps, tailor processes to the needs of our communities, and ultimately enhance patient care and outcomes,” he added.
The phantom model system is already integrated into the curriculum of the UP-Philippine General Hospital, where 124 graduates have been trained and deployed across several regions in the country.
Set to be completed by August 2026, the project team is refining the prototype based on the clinicians feedback.
Once completed, the system is expected to be available for use and distribution in the Philippines at a lower cost.