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Additive Manufacturing for Neurosurgery: Digital Light Processing of Individualized Patient-Specific Cerebral
Stefano Guarino1, Enrico Marchese2, Gennaro Salvatore Ponticelli1
1Department of Engineering, University of Rome "Niccolò Cusano", Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 23, 2021
Summary
Direct light processing (DLP) 3D printing can rapidly create patient-specific cerebral aneurysm models. These affordable, fast 3D models enhance surgical planning and neurosurgeon understanding of complex vascular anatomy.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral aneurysms pose significant surgical challenges due to complex vascular anatomy.
- Accurate pre-operative visualization is crucial for effective neurosurgical intervention.
- Existing methods for anatomical modeling can be time-consuming and costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using direct light processing (DLP) 3D printing for rapid, low-cost, patient-specific cerebral aneurysm models.
- To evaluate the utility of these 3D printed models in neurosurgical planning and training.
- To assess the time and cost-effectiveness of the DLP 3D printing technique for this application.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of 3D anatomical data from computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
- Processing of imaging data to generate patient-specific 3D digital models of cerebral aneurysms and surrounding vasculature.
- Fabrication of physical 3D models using a direct light processing (DLP) 3D printer.
- Evaluation of model accuracy and utility by neurosurgeons for surgical planning and patient information.
Main Results:
- Successful reproduction of individualized, patient-specific 3D models of cerebral aneurysms.
- All models were printed within a three-hour timeframe.
- The 3D printed models provided a comprehensive representation of aneurysm anatomy and surrounding structures.
- Neurosurgeons found the models improved understanding and simplified surgical planning.
Conclusions:
- Direct light processing (DLP) 3D printing is a feasible, rapid, and cost-effective method for creating patient-specific cerebral aneurysm models.
- These tangible 3D models serve as valuable tools for enhancing neurosurgical understanding, training, and operational planning.
- The technique offers a significant improvement over traditional methods for pre-operative visualization in neurosurgery.
