MANILA, Philippines — Moving to eliminate reliance on expensive, imported medical equipment, the government is backing a homegrown solution to upgrade local surgical training. The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) has allocated over ₱4.99 million to develop a localized “phantom model system.”
The device serves as a specialized, anatomically accurate “practice dummy” for clinicians mastering delicate, ultrasound-guided medical interventions.
In obstetrics and gynecology, ultrasound-guided procedures require extreme hand-eye coordination. Doctors rely on real-time visual feeds to safely navigate needles through complex biological layers without nicking nearby critical organs.
Historically, Philippine medical institutions have faced major bottlenecks when sourcing training tools for these disciplines:
- The Price Barrier: Commercially available training phantoms must be imported from western or regional suppliers, making them prohibitively expensive for many domestic hospitals and provincial medical schools.
- The Rigidity Issue: Imported models are typically fixed and standardized, making it incredibly difficult for instructors to alter or customize the models to simulate unique patient anomalies, distinct body types, or pathological conditions.
[Imported Phantoms] ──► Highly Expensive ──► Rigid & Hard to Customize ──► Skills Gap in Provinces[DOST Homegrown Project] ──► Low-Cost Target ──► Adjustable Materials (TMMs) ──► Accessible Nationwide Deployment
Headed by lead researcher Dr. Melissa Amosco from the University of Philippines Manila (UPM), the local research group engineered a more flexible, cost-efficient system.
The breakthrough relies heavily on the integration of two distinct types of Tissue-Mimicking Materials (TMMs). These advanced composites are structured to mimic the exact physical attributes of the human abdominopelvic region:
[ COMPOSITE TISSUE SIMULATION LAYER ]
│
┌──────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
[ MUSCLE TIERS ] [ FAT DEPOSITS ] [ SKIN BARRIERS ]
Replicates the dense, Simulates pliable, Mimics outer tactile
elastic resistance of low-resistance lipid resistance and surface
abdominal muscle walls. cellular structures. needle-puncture feel.
By altering the formulation mix of the TMMs, instructors can accurately calibrate the dummy to mirror the precise acoustic and mechanical signals picked up by ultrasound waves. This allows the team to program realistic internal structures directly into the matrix—including deep-set organs or complex abnormal masses like tumors and cysts.
The technology has already moved beyond abstract laboratory validation. The system has been fully integrated into the official medical curriculum of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
To date, the program has successfully trained and deployed 124 graduate clinicians, sending highly capable specialists out to regional healthcare units across the country.
The research team is currently entering its final optimization stretch, utilizing real-time performance notes from working PGH residents to refine the dummy’s tactile feel.
“By utilizing homegrown 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.” — Renato U. Solidum Jr., DOST Secretary
According to co-investigator Dr. Leslie Joy Lantisce-Diaz, the project is fully on track for complete structural finalization by August 2026. As the deadline approaches, the group is pivoting toward small-volume manufacturing and streamlined logistical packaging. This engineering transition ensures the low-cost ultrasound training kits can be safely packed, shipped, and deployed to isolated rural hospitals and municipal health centers across the Philippine archipelago.