Fabrication of cerebral aneurysm simulator with a desktop 3D printer

Sci Rep. 2017 May 17:7:44301. doi: 10.1038/srep44301.

Abstract

Now, more and more patients are suffering cerebral aneurysm. However, long training time limits the rapid growth of cerebrovascular neurosurgeons. Here we developed a novel cerebral aneurysm simulator which can be better represented the dynamic bulging process of cerebral aneurysm The proposed simulator features the integration of a hollow elastic vascular model, a skull model and a brain model, which can be affordably fabricated at the clinic (Fab@Clinic), under $25.00 each with the help of a low-cost desktop 3D printer. Moreover, the clinical blood flow and pulsation pressure similar to the human can be well simulated, which can be used to train the neurosurgical residents how to clip aneurysms more effectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Vessels / pathology
  • Blood Vessels / physiopathology
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / surgery*
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Elasticity
  • Equipment Design*
  • High Fidelity Simulation Training / methods*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / pathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / surgery*
  • Models, Anatomic*
  • Neurosurgery / instrumentation
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional / instrumentation
  • Surgical Instruments
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods

Substances

  • Polyesters