Anatomical simulators produced using 3d printing

A method of producing void structures in an anatomical phantom, comprising:

• a) printing, using 3D printing with silicone, one or more hollow structures of one or more desired sub-anatomical features, connecting the one or more hollow structures to a proximal end of an associated fluid flow channel;
• b) supporting and enclosing the one or more hollow structures and associated fluid flow channel in an interior of a mold of the anatomical phantom with a distal end of the associated fluid flow channel being located on an exterior of the mold;
• c) filling a remaining internal volume in the interior of the mold between an outer surface of both the one or more hollow structures and the associated vasculature and an inner surface of the mold with a liquid precursor of a matrix material selected to mimic anatomical tissue, the liquid precursor including at least polyvinyl alcohol, and curing the polyvinyl alcohol to produce a polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel to form a tissue mimic matrix material;
• and
• d) filling, through the access port, the one or more one hollow structures and their associated vasculature with liquid solutions selected to mimic preselected bodily fluids.