Sawbones

Sawbones is a trusted leader in medical simulation, known for developing highly realistic anatomical models and hands-on training solutions used worldwide across healthcare education, clinical skills development, and device innovation. For 50 years, we’ve evolved alongside medicine—responding to changes in care delivery, procedural techniques, and training expectations—so educators, clinicians, and industry partners can practice with purpose and prepare with confidence.

50 years of evolution in medical simulation

Since our early days creating durable anatomy models for teaching and demonstration, Sawbones has continually expanded what simulation can do. As healthcare training shifted toward competency-based education and measurable skill progression, we advanced beyond static anatomy into purpose-built procedural trainers and modular simulation systems. Today, our solutions support the full training continuum—from foundational anatomy to advanced techniques—helping learners build muscle memory, refine decision-making, and gain comfort with instruments, approaches, and workflows before they are applied in patient care.

This long-term commitment has helped shape the field itself. In orthopedic training environments, the phrase “Sawbones Lab” is often used generically to describe anatomical simulation—an indicator of how closely our name has become associated with the standard for practical, high-quality training tools.

Simulation built for hands-on learning

Sawbones simulation is designed to make practice practical: realistic enough to support meaningful skill transfer, consistent enough for repeatable training and assessment, and durable enough for high-volume programs. Our models are used in classrooms, skills labs, residencies, fellowship programs, continuing education courses, and professional workshops where hands-on training matters.

We support a wide range of learning goals, including:

• Anatomy and foundational skills: Teach landmarks, orientation, and core concepts through tactile learning.
• Procedure training: Practice step-by-step techniques, tool handling, and instrument familiarity in a controlled environment.
• Competency assessment: Provide consistent anatomy and repeatable scenarios for skill evaluation, checklists, and proficiency testing.
• Team training: Rehearse workflows, roles, and communication with models that fit real clinical setups.

Expanding across specialties and settings

As simulation has expanded beyond traditional OR-focused training, Sawbones has grown to support broader clinical education needs. Our solutions are used across specialties and settings, including:

• Orthopedic and trauma simulation: From basic fracture management principles to advanced procedural training, our orthopedic and trauma models are widely used for surgical education, resident training, and skills labs.
• Surgical skills and approaches: Procedure-focused trainers help learners practice techniques repeatedly, supporting progression from novice to advanced skill levels.
• Ultrasound and point-of-care simulation: With the growth of bedside imaging and POCUS training, our portfolio supports learners building confidence in probe handling, image acquisition, and guided techniques.
• Nursing skills training: Simulation tools that support hands-on learning and repetition for essential clinical skills and patient care tasks.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation education: Models and trainers that help reinforce anatomy, movement concepts, and hands-on learning in rehab and PT curricula.

This breadth helps institutions standardize training tools across programs and create cohesive learning experiences—whether they’re teaching students, upskilling staff, or supporting interdisciplinary practice.

Supporting innovation and industry training

Sawbones is also a long-standing partner to the medical device industry. Simulation plays a vital role not only in education, but in how new technologies are developed, evaluated, and introduced to the field. Our models are used by device manufacturers and innovators for:

• Product development and iterative design: Work with realistic anatomy while refining instrument ergonomics and procedural workflows.
• R&D testing and validation: Support benchtop testing and evaluation with repeatable, consistent anatomy that helps teams compare outcomes and performance.
• Sales and clinical specialist training: Train representatives and teams to understand procedural steps, instrumentation, and product benefits—improving readiness for clinical support.
• Device demonstration: Provide practical, hands-on demos at labs, workshops, and events where tactile experience matters.

Because simulation is repeatable, scalable, and accessible, it helps organizations train more efficiently while supporting consistent messaging and standardized technique instruction.

Customization and scalable solutions

Every training program is different—by learner level, curriculum, procedure focus, facility setup, and equipment preferences. Sawbones offers a broad catalog of standard models as well as customizable solutions to support specific training goals. Programs can select from models designed for foundational teaching, targeted procedural practice, or more comprehensive simulation experiences. We also support scalable implementations—from individual trainers to full lab environments—so organizations can grow their simulation capabilities over time.

Why simulation teams choose Sawbones

Sawbones is known for combining anatomical realism with practical usability. Our solutions are developed to meet real-world training needs: consistent anatomy for repeatability, materials that stand up to frequent use, and model designs that support the techniques learners need to master. Most importantly, our long history in the space means we understand what makes simulation valuable—not just realistic, but teachable, measurable, and repeatable.

The Sawbones advantage: confidence through practice

Simulation is about more than practice—it’s about preparing people to perform. Whether the goal is building foundational understanding, improving procedural technique, training teams, or supporting new device adoption, Sawbones helps bring learning to life through hands-on experience. After 50 years of evolution in medical simulation, we remain focused on one outcome: helping healthcare professionals and innovators train with purpose and build confidence through practice.