Three-Dimensional Printing Arterial Aneurysm Model And Simulating Operative Approach

Objective: The development of the three-dimensional printing technology has provided a new way of operative treatment in the medical field.Currently,however,only a few articles write about the application of the three-dimensional printing in treating arterial aneurysm.In this study,we build a three-dimensional model of intracranial aneurysm and stimulate the operative approach using the three-dimensional printing technology,and we apply them to the operation to clip aneurysm.Method: Collect the image data of CT angiography and the image data of magnetic resonance imaging of patients with intracranial aneurysm in the the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University.Turn the thin-layer CTA scanning or MRI data into a three-dimensional image using the Mimics18.0 software.The image is refined by the Geomagic Studio 2015 software,then a 3D virtual model of skull and blood vessels is rebuilt under the same coordinate.Input the data of the 3D virtual model into the 3D printer to print a solid model.By comparing the stimulated operative approach based on the 3D model and the actual operative approach based on the CTA image,we assess the value of 3D model in clinical application.Results: We successfully printed the 3D solid model of the arterial aneurysm,and printed the patient’s blood vessels,skull and brain tissue at a ratio of 1:1.The 3D model of the arterial aneurysm is used to choose the suitable aneurysm clips and to stimulate the operative approaches.When used in clinic teaching,it enables medical students to visually observe the cerebral vascular anatomy.And during the operation,it allows the surgeons to observe the anatomical relation between the arterial aneurysm and its surrounding tissues more directly.Conclusion: First,3D model,a physical model of high biofidelity and individual characteristics,can be used to design operation plan,choose the best operative approach and choose suitable aneurysm clips before the actual operation.Providing theoretical basis for clinical operation,3D model is,especially,beneficial for the making of operation plans for intractable multiple intracranial aneurysms and Giant intracranial aneurysms.Secondly,3D model can be used as clinic teaching model.Without the limits of computers and textbooks,these models can demonstrate the disease in a three-dimensional way,which enables medical students to observe the disease from whatever angles in whatever situations they want in the near distance.Combined with the specific conditions during the actual operation,medical students can reinforce their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment for aneurysm diseases.