3 T Training Tool: Cephalic Tube™

Cephalic Tube™ is part of the 3 Ts Training Tools for demonstration, teaching and practice of venipuncture of the canine or feline cephalic vein. The 3 Ts is a method used to provide training to individuals working with animals in research, testing and teaching settings. The 3 Ts incorporates simple, inexpensive, and effective hand-crafted tools to teach and encourage practice of non-surgical and surgical procedures, prior to conducting similar training and practice on live animals.

More information about Translational Training Tools™ here.

This tool consists of a cardboard tube such as paper towel roll, with a long, skinny balloon serving as the cephalic vein. For unimpeded dexterity during the early stages of learning, begin the practice without wearing gloves. As the skills progress, practice while wearing gloves. Note that the balloon blood vessel is placed loosely enough to allow for the vessel to roll a bit. The laxity of the vessel is great for teaching the restraining-trainee to properly hold off the vein and keep it taut, to help facilitate the venipuncture process. For the individual learning to perform the venipuncture, the looseness of the vessel helps the trainee understand how mobile the vessel can be and learning to stabilize the vein during the venipuncture procedure.

Further training is performed with a modified version the Cephalic TubeTM. For this version of the tool, the cardboard tube and vein is coverered with a piece of textured fabric to mimic the animal’s skin and hair. The fabric covering makes the vein less apparent but readily palpable.

Note that both the basic and the advanced version of the Cephalic TubeTM are useful to demonstrate, teach and practice blood collection, IV injections and catheter placement procedures. All of these procedures will require the two trainees to learn to work as a team to understand the essential hand positions and motions and the interaction between the restraining-trainee and the venipuncture- trainee. Proceed with training on live animals.

Ingredients:

• 12” hollow tube; 1 to 2 “diameter (our preference is a paper- towel roll)
• Long Skinny Balloon (160 Q to 260 Q)
• Simulated Blood

For the advanced version of the Cephalic Tube™:

• Fabric cut to a size that can easily wrap around the tube ; about 12” x 9” (our
  preference is velvet or crushed velvet)

Supplies: Scissors, Tape, 6cc Syringe & Lab tape

Instructions:

1. Cut a groove into either end of the hollow tube (preferably cardboard) at each end,
   directly opposite each other about 0.5” deep
2. Fill a 6cc Syringe with simulated blood (Vampire Blood)
3. Guide the syringe tip into the open end of the balloon and fill the balloon with blood,
   while agitating the balloon slightly to expel some of the air that may be in the
   balloon
4. Fill the balloon until it is moderately turgid
5. Tie off the open end of the balloon and it may be helpful to also tied a small knot in
   the opposite end of the balloon
6. Place the knotted ends of the balloon into the grooves made on the paper towel so
   that the blood-filled balloon has a minimal degree of movement but is still able to
   roll slightly.
7. Tape the knotted ends of the balloon to the inside of tube for added security

FOR CREATING THE ADVANCED VERSION: cover both the balloon and the tube with the fabric to make the simulated blood vessel less apparent. Tape the fabric in place.

Images to help guide the process of making a Cephalic TubeTMIngredients, please see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 1, page 78.

For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Williams.

3 Ts Training Tools consists of the following products: 

• FP Balloon™
  • IM Foosbun™ 
• Venipuncture Tools:
  • Tube Tail™ (venipuncture of the lateral tail vein)
  • Spongy Bunear™ (venipuncture of the rabbit marginal ear vein)
  • Ear Piggy Piggy™ (venipuncture of the marginal ear vein of pigs)
  • Cephalic Tube™ (venipuncture of the canine or feline cephalic vein)
• Cardiac Balloon™ (cardiac-puncture blood collection in rodents)
• CD Mouse™ (validation of competency of cervical dislocation euthanasia in rodents)
• Pink E. D. Cap™ (validation of competency of decapitation euthanasia of neonatal mice)

Please see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 2: (Recipies for crafting your own purpose-specific training tools for surgery practice), PART II: Aseptic Technique Training, Practice and Assessment). 

Please see 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™