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. 2014 Jan 27:5:11.
doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.125858. eCollection 2014.

Prototyping of cerebral vasculature physical models

Imad S Khan  1 , Patrick D Kelly  2 , Robert J Singer  1
Affiliations

Prototyping of cerebral vasculature physical models

Imad S Khan et al. Surg Neurol Int. .

Abstract

Background: Prototyping of cerebral vasculature models through stereolithographic methods have the ability to accurately depict the 3D structures of complicated aneurysms with high accuracy. We describe the method to manufacture such a model and review some of its uses in the context of treatment planning, research, and surgical training.

Methods: We prospectively used the data from the rotational angiography of a 40-year-old female who presented with an unruptured right paraclinoid aneurysm. The 3D virtual model was then converted to a physical life-sized model.

Results: The model constructed was shown to be a very accurate depiction of the aneurysm and its associated vasculature. It was found to be useful, among other things, for surgical training and as a patient education tool.

Conclusion: With improving and more widespread printing options, these models have the potential to become an important part of research and training modalities.

Keywords: 3D modeling; Cerebral aneurysm; physical model; rapid prototyping; stereolithographic methods; training tool.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Noncontrasted CT image as displayed in the Philips 3D-RA Rotational Scan software on the clinical workstation
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) file displayed in MeshLab. Note that areas of gray discoloration are gaps in the mesh rendering of the model. These gaps were filled using built-in functionality of MeshLab. (b) Stereolithography file created from the VRML file after filling mesh gaps. (c) Stereolithography file as rendered in STLView prior to printing. (d) Physical model printed in Tango+
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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