3 T Training Tool: Tube Tail™

Tube Tail™ is part of the 3 Ts Training Tools for demonstration, teaching and practice of venipuncture of the lateral tail vein. The design of the tool is intended to address many of the key learning issues for venipuncture of the lateral tail veins. The large transparent tubing allows the trainee to see the placement of the needle in the vessel to achieve correct needle placement in the blood vessel. The trainer can also use it to demonstrate some of the common errors such as placing the needle too superficial or too deeply, or for tail vein blood collection methods such as tail nick with blood collection into a micro-capillary tube. 

Depending on the trainee’s competency and comfort with the procedure on the TubeTail, various options exist for adding complexity to the tools and training exercise. It is not necessary for all of the trainees to go through every option. The options are available for those trainees that require more steps to become comfortable and gain proficiency with the tail venipuncture procedure. Compare what is visible in a live rodent to the Tube Tail structures that serve as a visual aid to facilitate training. 

Ingredients for making the basic version (made with transparent tubing) of the Tube Tail:

• 1 - Piece of white string or shoe lace; approximately 5mm in diameter
• 2 - Pieces of hollow tubing; approximately 2mm in diameter; transparent or frosted (our
  preference is Pony Bead LacingTM)
• 1 – Piece of polyester sewing thread; approximately 30 cm long
• 1 ml of fake-blood (our preference is Vampire Blood®)

• Supplies: 1 pair of scissors, 1 sewing needle, 1 – 21 gauge catheter tip, 1 – syringe (3cc to 12 cc), A fray stop solution found in most craft stores– our choice is Dritz Fray Check™.

Additional ingredients and Supplies for Intermediate and  Advanced Versions of the tail:

• Hollow, black tubing
• Black string
• Long, skinny balloon (260 Q)
• 1 cm diameter metal dowel rod about 7 cm long

Instructions for making the basic version of the Tube Tail:

1. Cut string to a length of approximately 4 to 6 inches
2. Apply Fray Check™ to each cut end of the string and allow time for it to dry
3. Cut hollow tubing to a length that is about 1 to 1.5 cm longer than the string on each end
4. Thread the sewing needle with the polyester thread and tie at knot at the end of the thread
5. Insert the sewing needle into the center of one end of the string
6. Begin sewing the pieces of tubing onto either side of the string; leaving a space of about 2 cm between the stiches (see photos for details)
7. When both tubes have been sewn to either side of the string, tie the thread off at the end of the string and cut the thread distal to the knot.

Shortly before using any version of the Tube Tail: 

• Prepare a syringe filled with fake-blood and place the catheter tip on the syringe
• Insert the catheter tip into the tubing and inject the fake-blood down the length of the tubing

The Tube Tail is now ready for use. Depending on the venipuncture procedure for which it is being used, it may be helpful to clamp or tie off one or both ends of the blood filled tubes.

Please see Option 1 & 2 for Intermediate Version and Option for advanced Version of the Tube Tail and Images to help guide the process of making a Tube Tail, in The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 1, from page 64.

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 also see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 2: (Recipies for crafting your own purpose-specific training tools for surgery practice).

More information about Translational Training Tools™ here.

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™