3 T Training Tool: Color Band Boards™

Color Band Boards™ is designed to exercise the practice of managing complex manipulations and two handed dexterity. Use of two forceps, one in each hand. Consists of sealed wood or plexiglas board, where bolts are drilled up through the bottom of the board. Small colored rubber bands is arranged between the bolts in an overlapping and underlapping intertwining pattern. Neuter Board™ can potentially double as the Color Band Board™.

Color Band Boards™ 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:

1. Use two forceps i.e. one in each hand.
2. Carefully remove bands from the bolts on the board.
3. Do not let the rubber bands drop or fling, and do not leave any bands dangling on the bolts.
4. Bands may be intertwined and will require the use of both forceps to untangle them during removal.
5. Remember to stabilize the hands.

Ingredients:

• One base board made of sealed hardwood: We use a base board cut to the following dimensions: 7”x5”x0.25”
• Box of bolts. We used bolts with the following dimensions: 5/32nd” diameter x 1.25” long.
• Small colored rubber bands. We use Loom Bands.
• When ready to use, equip the trainee with at least two pairs of thumb forceps.

Supplies: Glue, A clamp or heavy weight to hold the wooden base in place while drilling holes into it.

Instructions:

1. Using a pencil, mark the base board with the pattern that you want to use for placement of the bolts. We use an elongated star pattern to create bolts that were aligned in various distances from one another, to allow for different levels of challenge for removing the nuts during the practice exercises.
2. Secure the base in place using a clamp or heavy weight.
3. Drill holes over the marked areas to create a pattern of holes into which the bolts will be placed.
4. Once the bolts are flush with the base board, glue the bolts to the back of the base board to securely hold them in place and prevent them from spinning.
5. Attach a network of rubber bands of the bolts in an overlapping and underlapping pattern to increase the level of difficulty for the trainee to remove the bands. Arrange the bands in a manner that will encourage the trainee to use both tissue forceps during two-handed manipulations. 

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). 

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™

2 . Micro Dexterity Tools™: 

1. 1. Peg Boards™
   2. Bead Threading™
   3. Earrings and Backs™
   4. Color Band Boards™
   5. Bead Cup Exploratory™

Please also see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 1: (Recipies for crafting your own purpose-specific training tools for non-surgical procedures).

3 Ts Training Tools from Volume 1:

• 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)

For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Williams.