IMSH 2025 Lymph Node Trainer - Prisma Health

What is it?
A do-it-yourself, economical task trainer that gives students and participants the opportunity to palpate a large-fixed lymph node (abnormal finding) which would likely not be found in a generally healthy Standardized Patient. PETAs (physical exam teaching associates) at the Prisma Health Upstate Simulation Center utilize this trainer to foster an interactive and diverse hybrid simulation. The trainer is made from a simple 3D printed mold and low-cost silicone that can be tinted to suit a wide variety of skin tones.

Cost Breakdown
Total cost – $1.35 for reusable 3D printed molds, $2.80 per completed silicone lymph node trainer when silicone supplies are purchased in bulk.
• 3D printed lymph node mold – approximately $0.78
• 3D printed outer skin mold – approximately $0.57
• Silicone lymph nodes – normal – approximately $0.63
• Silicone lymph nodes – abnormal – approximately $0.64
• Silicone outer skin layer – approximately $2.15

Materials Used
Silicone materials - can be purchased from Smooth-On
• Dragon Skin FX-Pro
• Slacker silicone tactile mutator
• Silc Pig silicone pigment (red, light flesh, medium flesh, dark flesh)
• Mold release (optional)
Disposable materials
• Syringes – 60ml Toomey is preferred because of the viscosity of the silicone, but a cath-tip syringe will work as well
• Tongue depressors
• Disposable paper cups
• Paper towels
• Gloves
• Baby powder

POURING ABNORMAL LYMPH NODES
The abnormal lymph nodes are designed to feel firm when incased within the skin, so no Slacker is needed. The red pigment is used to indicate firm lymph nodes and can only been seen when the trainer is flipped over.
Dragon Skin FX-Pro is a 1:1 mix ratio.
• In a disposable cup, add 6ml of Dragon Skin part B, and 6ml of Dragon Skin part A
• With a tongue depressor, remove approximately 1/8” of red Silc Pig from the container and begin to mix the three ingredients together
• Mix the ingredients thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup
• When mixed well, the silicone should be a consistent shade of red with no streaks of shades of clear
• After mixing is completed, slowly pour the silicone into the lymph node mold, maintaining about 6” of height while pouring the mixture in a thin ribbon. Pouring slowly from this height helps reduce air bubbles
• Scrape the sides and bottom of the cup to ensure that all of the mixture has been poured into the mold
• Using a tongue depressor, evenly scrape off the excess silicone to ensure that the mold is filled with an even surface of red silicone
• Let cure for 45 minutes
POURING NORMAL LYMPH NODES
The normal lymph nodes are designed to feel softer when incased within the skin, so Slacker is needed.
Dragon Skin FX-Pro is a 1:1 mix ratio.
• In a disposable cup, add 6ml of Dragon Skin part B, 6ml of Dragon Skin part A, and 1.2ml of Slacker
• Mix the ingredients thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup
• When mixed well, the silicone should be transparent white in color, with no streaks of clear
• After mixing is completed, slowly pour the silicone into the lymph node mold, maintaining about 6” of height while pouring the mixture in a thin ribbon. Pouring slowly from this height helps reduce air bubbles
• Scrape the sides and bottom of the cup to ensure that all the mixture has been poured into the mold
• Using a tongue depressor, evenly scrape off the excess silicone to ensure that the mold is filled with an even surface of red silicone
• Let cure for 45 minutes

POURING OUTER SKIN
The outer skin layer is softer than both the normal and abnormal lymph nodes to allow the nodes to be easily felt.

Dragon Skin FX-Pro is a 1:1 mix ratio.

• Remove silicone lymph nodes from mold and place in the center of the outer skin mold, being sure to leave space on all sides.
• In a disposable cup, add 26ml of Dragon Skin part B, 26ml of Dragon Skin part A, and 15ml of Slacker
• With a tongue depressor, remove approximately 1/8” of light, medium, or dark flesh tone Silc Pig from the container and begin to mix the three ingredients together
• Mix the ingredients thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup
• When mixed well, the silicone should be a solid flesh color, with no streaks of clear
• After mixing is completed, slowly pour the silicone into the outer skin mold, maintaining about 6” of height while pouring the mixture in a thin ribbon. Pouring slowly from this height helps reduce air bubbles
• Scrape the sides and bottom of the cup to ensure that all the mixture has been poured into the mold
• Let cure for 45 minutes
• Remove silicone from mold and sprinkle baby powder onto all sides of the silicone block. Wipe off excess. This step gives the trainer a more life-like feel and will need to be reapplied periodically.