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Updated: May 1, 2026
In Vitro 3D Cell-Cultured Arterial Models for Studying Vascular Drug Targeting Under Flow
Published on: March 14, 2021
Prototyping of cerebral vasculature physical models
Imad S Khan1, Patrick D Kelly2, Robert J Singer1
1J.B. Marshall Laboratory for Neurovascular Therapeutics, NH, USA ; Section of Neurosurgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
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.
