Three-dimensional ultrasound-derived physical mitral valve modeling

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Improvements in echocardiographic imaging have advanced mitral valve repair.
• Surgical guidance for mitral valve repair can be enhanced with better visualization tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for rapid production of physical mitral valve models.
• To utilize novel three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic imaging and stereolithographic printing for model creation.
• To provide educational and surgical guidance tools for mitral valve repair.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative virtual mitral valve shape models were created from 3D transesophageal echocardiographic images.
• Semiautomated image segmentation and continuous medial representation algorithms were employed.
• Stereolithographic printing was used to generate physical valve models at end systole and end diastole.

Main Results:

• Physical models of normal, ischemic mitral regurgitation, and myxomatous mitral degeneration valves were successfully constructed.
• A strong correlation was observed between the virtual shape models and the resulting physical models.

Conclusions:

• Feasible creation of physical mitral valve geometry models from 3D echocardiographic data is demonstrated.
• 3D-printed valves show potential as aids for surgical therapy in mitral valve disease.
• This methodology offers a novel approach to patient-specific surgical planning.