Skip to main content

Paracervical Block Training Model

Our team is designing a gynecological task trainer for our client's training session on paracervical block administration.

Project Overview

A paracervical block (PCB) is a medical procedure which consists of injecting the tissue where the vaginal wall meets the outer part of the cervix, the cervicovaginal junction, with lidocaine in four locations; 2, 4, 8, and 10 o’clock. This procedure is done to reduce pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion and other gynecological procedures. Many women have to endure the procedure without the help of a PCB, or only have access to other less effective methods because of limited provider training and lack of realistic affordable models to practice on. Current task trainers that are used to practice IUD insertions typically do not have a cervicovaginal junction, which is making these models less realistic as you are unable to practice a paracervical block. This results in fewer providers learning proper PCB technique and thus more patients who are unable to have access to this procedure.
Our team is tasked with creating a realistic, reproducible, and low cost model that includes a realistic cervicovaginal junction to simulate PCB injections to train healthcare professionals to make this procedure more accessible. Creating an anatomically accurate model with materials that better simulate the mechanical properties of the female reproductive tissues by having a needle insertion resistance of 1.09N, and elasticity of 1.94 kPa/mm. This will allow providers to practice needle placement, injection, and IUD insertion in a supervised safe learning environment. Ultimately, our goal is to improve provider access to learning the PCB procedure and expand patient access to pain management in women’s healthcare.

Project Status

Our team recently presented three of our design ideas to our advisor and peers. After consulting with our client, our team has settled on a final design for our task trainer model. Right now, we are in the process of ordering materials with the intention of beginning fabrication and prototyping.

Team Picture

Left to right: Evelyn Ojard, Renee Sobania, Ellinore Letts, Nora Lorentz, Cadence Seymour, Abigayle Chapman
Left to right: Evelyn Ojard, Renee Sobania, Ellinore Letts, Nora Lorentz, Cadence Seymour, Abigayle Chapman

Files

Progress Reports

Contact Information

Team Members

Advisor and Client

Back to Top