3 T Training Tool: Bead Board™

Provides the training of: stabilising hands for precise tasks, proper grasp of thumb forceps, choosing the appropriate instruments for the exercise and positioning instrument properly to ensure secure yet gentle manipulation of objects.

Bead Board™ is part of the 3 Ts Training Tools (3 Ts), a training method designed to provide hands-on training and practice for individuals working with animals in research, testing and educational settings. They incorporates simple, inexpensive, and effective tools to teach and encourage practice of non-surgical and surgical procedures, prior to conducting similar training and practice on live animals. The tools used for the 3 Ts surgical curriculum for Aseptic Rodent Surgery Training and Practice is called the “3 Ts Dexterity Tools™”. These exercises are designed to address many of the common repetitive hand motions and skills required to perform surgery. Trainees will learn to translate the skills they have developed on the 3 Ts inanimate training tools into practice on live animals.

More information about Translational Training Tools™ here.

Description of the Bead Board™ exercise:

1. Sort the different coloured beads so that each well eventually contains only 1 colour of bead.
2. Start the exercise by practicing with the dominant hand.
3. When comfortable with the exercise, start to incorporate the non-dominant hand to work on developing two handed dexterity with thumb forceps.
4. Use thumb forceps in the precision grip to pick up one bead at a time.
5. When handling the beads, place the forceps on the outside of the bead rather than placing the forceps into the hole on the bead.
6. Avoid touching the forceps to any bead, other than the bead being transferred. 
7. Note that beads should be placed into the wells slowly and carefully. Do not toss the beads or drop the beads into the wells. 

Ingredients:

• Several different colors of craft store beads of approximately 0.5 cm diameter.
• Shallow baking tray or lollipop molds; about 1 cm deep. 

Supplies:

• Small container to hold the beads when not in use.
• When in use, equip the trainee with at least two pairs of thumb forceps

Instructions:

1. Place an relatively even number of mixed-colored beads in each of the wells
2. Supply at least two pairs of thumb forceps to the trainee for bead manipulation. Include thumb forceps with different types of tips e.g. rat tooth, smooth tip, serrated tips.

Note: As an alternative to the baking trays or molds, shallow wells can be crafted from sealed hardwood. For information on the wooden version, please contact David Mooneyhan at dem23@cornell.edu

For more information and images to help guide the process, please see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 2: (Recipies for crafting your own purpose-specific training tools for surgery practice), p.17-19 and p.65.

Dexterity Tools™ and Exercises from Volume 2:

1. Macro Dexterity Tools™:

1. 1. Bead Board™
   2. Neuter Board™
   3. Tissue Board™
   4. Nail Board™
   5. Cutting Ring™