Jenny Tai
Jenny is the Makers Lab Engineer. Contact Jenny with questions about the Makers Lab, 3D printing technologies, and designing and acquiring 3D models.

Meet the Maker – Gerald Hsu, MD, PhD

This week’s maker is Gerald Hsu, MD, PhD, associate clinical professor in the UCSF Division of Hematology & Oncology. Let’s take a look at his project.

Q: What did you make?

A simulation to help fellows from the UCSF Division of Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program improve their ability to perform lumbar punctures and intrathecal chemotherapy.

Colorful array of lumbar puncture/intrathecal therapy simulation models with 3D printed and silicone components.
An assortment of 3D printed and silicone casted models developed for the lumbar puncture and intrathecal chemotherapy simulations

Q: Why did you want to make it?

Lumbar puncture and intrathecal chemotherapy are relatively common procedures that fellows are generally uncomfortable performing when they start the fellowship. Lack of confidence is a barrier to performing the procedures when necessary for patient care. Lack of confidence may also lead to complications that adversely affect patient outcome.

Q: What was your process?

Researching what is out there currently. Discussing our needs with Jenny Tai, Makers Lab Engineer. Testing out prototypes and providing feedback about what refinements to make. Having fellows test out the final prototypes during orientation and getting their feedback.

Q: What was the hardest part of the process?

Finding time to get to Parnassus!

Q: What was your favorite part of the process? 

Seeing the prototypes for the first time. I was blown away by how professional looking they turned out. The resistance and how the spine felt under the simulated skin and tissue pad was quite realistic. 

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Q: How did this help make you a better faculty/researcher?

It made me aware of more opportunities to engage simulation and the UCSF Makers Lab for our fellows.

UCSF Hematology/Oncology fellows testing out the intrathecal chemotherapy simulation during orientation at the Anatomy Learning Center.
Fellows from the UCSF Division of Hematology/Oncology try out the intrathecal chemotherapy simulation during orientation in the Anatomy Learning Center

Q: What do you want to make next?

Something non-medical. Maybe t-shirts, stickers, and other swag for the fellowship program.