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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Simulator Training for Endovascular Neurosurgery
Published on: May 6, 2020
In vitro measurement of tissue integrity during saccular aneurysm embolizations for simulator-based training.
1Global Center of Excellence for Education and Research of Micro-Nano Mechatronics, Department of Micro-Nano Systems Engineering, Nagoya University, Japan. tercero@robo.mein.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Summary
This study introduces a novel photoelastic stress analysis method for evaluating endovascular neurosurgery techniques. The findings highlight how different embolization methods impact tissue integrity, aiding in the development of safer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Endovascular Neurosurgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Development
Background:
- Assessing tissue integrity is crucial for endovascular neurosurgery training and device innovation.
- Photoelastic stress analysis and vasculature modeling offer in vitro methods for evaluating tissue manipulation.
- Current techniques lack precise methods for quantifying tissue stress during endovascular procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a photoelastic stress analysis system for measuring tissue integrity in endovascular neurosurgery.
- To differentiate embolization techniques based on their respect for tissue integrity by measuring stress in blood vessel models.
- To compare the stress induced by various embolization devices and techniques in saccular aneurysm models.
Main Methods:
- Construction of two types of photoelastic vasculature models representing saccular aneurysms (5 mm and 7 mm diameter).
- Application of photoelastic stress analysis to quantify stress distribution within the blood vessel model walls during simulated embolization.
- Comparison of stress areas (above 1 kPa) for different embolization materials (MicroPlex 10, Micrusphere) and techniques (stent-assisted coil embolization) against simulated blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Embolization with MicroPlex 10 in a 5 mm aneurysm model resulted in a stress area of 3.97 mm², increasing to 5.50 mm² with deliberate coil manipulation.
- Micrusphere embolization in the 5 mm model showed a stress area of 4.87 mm².
- In a 7 mm aneurysm model, simulated blood pressure induced <1 mm² stress area, while trans-cell micro-catheter insertion and embolization maximized stress areas to 3.79 mm² and 8.92 mm², respectively.
Conclusions:
- The developed measurement system effectively identifies techniques that compromise tissue integrity during endovascular procedures.
- This system enables comparative analysis of different coils and embolization techniques for specific aneurysm morphologies.
- The method allows for the study of natural stress variations, such as those caused by blood pressure, in vascular models.
