Acousim by Defensible Ballistics is our medical specific models and products. These consist of ultrasound, x-ray and MRI phantoms as well as
suturing models. As our products are used extensively for custom phantoms we also have guides on making your own using our products.
Phantom Models
In medical and veterinary schools gaining practical experience in ultrasonography can be challenging due to practical and ethical concerns surrounding the use of live models.
While other commercial synthetic phantoms are available they are often very costly and cannot be customised easily.
To address this, creating synthetic ultrasound phantoms using our ballistic gel can be an economic alternative allowing students to simulate ultrasound scans and procedures, enhancing their learning.
“Cheap and effective”
Research within British universities using our gel found that the use of ballistic gel phantom models from Defensible Ballistics resulted in “improved practical skill” compared to students who did not train with them when compared to traditional teaching tools.
Features:
Low Cost
Easy to Create
Easily Customisable
Variable Echogenicity
Reusable
Quality Images
Ballistic Gel Liver Parenchyma scan
Ballistic Gel Vascular scan
As part of our Acousim range, the Phantom Block provides a reliable and repeatable medium for ultrasound imaging applications.
Manufactured from our high-quality synthetic ballistic gel base, this phantom replicates consistent acoustic and mechanical properties while offering the durability and stability required for repeated use. The integrated skin-tone colouring enhances visual realism, making it suitable for both clinical-style training environments and controlled testing scenarios.
Key Features:
Calibrated Medium
Produced to a 10% (Forensic) standard, ensuring consistent and predictable performance across applications.Embedded Reference Targets
Contains 4 × 3.5 mm ceramic spheres, precisely positioned within the block to provide clear, repeatable ultrasound targets for alignment, accuracy verification, and system calibration.Medical Imaging Compatible
X-ray and MRI safe, allowing the phantom to be used across multiple imaging modalities without interference or safety concerns.Realistic Appearance
Skin-tone pigmentation improves visual interpretation and enhances training realism without affecting performance.Durable & Reusable
Synthetic formulation resists dehydration and maintains structural integrity over multiple uses.
Specifications:
Dimensions: 30 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm
Weight: 3 kg
Material: Synthetic Ballistic Gel
Calibration: 10% (Forensic)
Embedded Targets: 4 × 3.5 mm ceramic spheres
Applications:
Ultrasound training and education
Probe calibration and alignment checks
Imaging system validation
Multi-modality imaging environments (Ultrasound, X-ray, MRI)
Procedure rehearsal and targeting exercises
Try Our Phantoms
This is a new range of products that is designed to make phantoms financially accessible to students, organisations and trusts. For more information on this product range, please contact us.
Ballistic Gel Bladder scan
Make Your Own Phantoms
The below products are best suited for creating your own phantoms. For more information on creating phantoms, please feel free to contact us.
Common Inserts
Silicone or latex tubing → simulate blood vessels
Ball bearings / plastic fragments → foreign bodies
Foam layers → tissue differentiation
Fluid-filled channels → realistic vascular imaging
Placement Tips
To suspend targets during pouring for precise positioning use thin supports (removed after setting if needed) such is fine fishing line (1-2lb).
Layer pours for complex anatomical simulation and for putting heavier targets within the phantom model.
10% density gel is the recommended for normal ultrasound testing. 20% density gel is recommended for inserts (e.g. tumor simulation).
Synthetic Ballistic gel can be used in within natural ballistic gel phantoms as inserts.
Natural
Natural gel phantoms are the cheapest option for any organisation of person. They also offer the most versatility in terms of customisation as you can cast the ballistic gel to any density you want. This also allows you to easily embed water based objects such as balloons for allowing for aspiration training. This gel is most commonly mixed to a 10% density for phantoms.
Key Points:
Derived from organic gelatine
Highly realistic acoustic properties
Excellent ultrasound transmission
Biodegradable
Highly customisable
For more instructions on using natural ballistic gel please see: Instructions.
Natural Ballistic Gel Powder is widely recognised as the gold standard in terminal ballistics testing.
When mixed with water to a specific density, natural ballistic gel creates a technical gelatine medium designed to act as an analogue for human tissue. It is used by forensic professionals, law enforcement agencies, research organisations, medical trainers, and technical testing teams around the world to assess penetration, wound paths, projectile performance, and medical procedures.
Natural ballistic gel remains the established reference material for many forensic and evidential testing applications due to its long-standing acceptance, repeatability, and recognised use in controlled testing environments.
Specification:
Type: 250–260 Bloom
Dry Weight:
1 kg
Cast Weight:
1 kg of powder produces approximately 10 kg of 10% ballistic gel
Mixing Ratios
10% Forensic/FBI Standard:
The 10% mixture is the standard density used to create a tissue-simulant medium for forensic and technical testing. It is commonly used to assess the effects of projectiles, penetrating objects, and other forms of impact.
Mixing ratio:
Gel powder: 10% by weight
Water: 90% by weight or volume
Example:
Gel powder: 100 g
Water: 900 g or 900 ml
The 10% mixture provides a consistent medium for evaluating penetration depth, wound path characteristics, projectile expansion, and comparative performance between different projectiles or test conditions.
20% NATO Density:
The 20% NATO mixture is a higher-density formulation designed for more demanding testing applications, including high-velocity projectiles and armour-related testing scenarios. It offers increased firmness and reduced sensitivity to temperature variation when compared with the standard 10% mixture.
Mixing ratio:
Gel powder: 20% by weight
Water: 80% by weight or volume
Example:
Gel powder: 200 g
Water: 800 g or 800 ml
Please note: These measurements can be scaled to suit your required block size, but the correct powder-to-water ratio should be maintained to achieve the intended density.
Storage Guidance
Before Casting:
Store the dry gel powder in a cool, dry location.
Keep the packaging sealed when not in use.
Avoid exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, and excessive heat.
Correct storage helps prevent clumping, contamination, or degradation of the powder. When stored correctly, dry gel powder can remain usable for up to one year.
After Casting:
Once cast, natural ballistic gel should be refrigerated until required for use. Refrigeration helps preserve the gel and maintain its condition before testing.
Untreated cast gel typically has a short usable life of approximately three days. For extended storage, our Extender preservative can be used to significantly increase the usable life of the cast gel when stored correctly.
For best results, cast gel should be kept refrigerated and stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic film to help prevent drying and contamination.
Important Notes:
Follow the correct preparation, storage, and handling instructions for consistent results.
Gel performance can be affected by temperature, storage conditions, and preparation method.
For detailed preparation guidance, please refer to the product instructions or contact our team.
More Information:
Synthetic
Synthetic ballistic gel phantoms provides reusability. Unlike natural ballistic gel our synthetic ballistic gel has no shelf-life once cast and can be remelted when you need to change your model type. Voids can be cast into the gel to mimic veins and arteries. The 10% option is the most commonly used for phantoms.
Key Points:
Good acoustic transmission
Slightly less tissue-realistic than natural gel, but highly consistent
Ideal for Repeat training scenarios
Field use (no refrigeration)
Durable teaching environments
For more instructions on using synthetic ballistic gel please see: Instructions.
This product can be coloured to look like skin. More information on colouring can be found here: Instructions.
Synthetic Ballistic Gel Chips provide a flexible, reusable gel medium that can be melted and cast into a mould of your choice.
Supplied in chip form, this product is ideal for users who want to create their own ballistic gel blocks, custom shapes, inserts, or test pieces. The gel is calibrated out of the bag to either 10% Forensic/FBI or 20% NATO density, depending on the selected product variant.
Synthetic ballistic gel is transparent, allowing users to observe projectile travel, wound paths, penetration depth, and deformation within the gel. After testing, the material can be remelted and recast, allowing it to be reused multiple times while retaining its intended calibration when processed correctly.
With its advanced formulation and ease of use, synthetic ballistic gel is suitable for professional and recreational testing environments, including law enforcement, military, medical, academic, and controlled research applications.
Key Features:
Transparent gel medium
Supplied as meltable chips
Calibrated out of the bag
Available in 10% Forensic/FBI or 20% NATO density
Reusable by melting and recasting
Suitable for casting into custom moulds, blocks, or test shapes
Weight:
1 kg
Calibration Options:
10% Forensic/FBI
20% NATO
Storage:
Store at room temperature in a dry location.
Reusability:
This product can be reused by melting and recasting the gel into a suitable mould. Please refer to the product instructions for full guidance.
More Information:
See our Synthetic Ballistic Gel Information page for further details on how to use this product.
Synthetic Gel Colour is a specially formulated colourant paste designed for use with synthetic ballistic gel.
It allows synthetic ballistic gel to be tinted to a skin-tone appearance without altering the density or intended performance of the gel. The colourant is suitable for use with both 10% Forensic/FBI and 20% NATO density synthetic ballistic gel.
A 30 ml bottle can colour up to approximately 7 kg of synthetic ballistic gel, depending on the depth of colour required. As a general guide, approximately 4 ml of colourant will tint 1 kg of gel.
Key Features:
Specially formulated for synthetic ballistic gel
Creates a skin-tone appearance
Suitable for 10% Forensic/FBI and 20% NATO density gel
Does not alter the density of the gel when used as directed
Concentrated paste formulation
Usage Guidance
Heat the synthetic ballistic gel in accordance with the product instructions.
Once the gel is hot and fully melted, add a small amount of colourant paste and mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
Additional colourant can be added gradually until the desired colour depth is achieved.
Recommended Ratio:
Approximately 4 ml per 1 kg of synthetic ballistic gel
30 ml treats up to approximately 7 kg of gel
Size:
30 ml
More Information:
Detailed instructions can be found on our Synthetic Ballistic Gel Instructions page.