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Updated: May 16, 2026
Development and Evaluation of 3D-Printed Cardiovascular Phantoms for Interventional Planning and Training
Published on: January 18, 2021
CT-based 3D-printed coronary artery phantom for imaging projection education
Laura Jursa1, Masa Kramer1, Anja Boc2
11Medical imaging and radiotherapy department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Researchers developed an anatomically accurate 3D printed heart phantom for practicing coronary angiography. This novel teaching tool aids radiographers in fluoroscopic visualization, enhancing procedural speed and safety.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Anatomical Modeling
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global health concern.
- Catheterization with real-time fluoroscopy is the standard for coronary artery imaging.
- There is a need for realistic training tools for invasive coronary angiography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create an anatomically accurate cardiac and coronary artery phantom.
- To utilize computed tomography (CT) image segmentation and 3D printing for phantom development.
- To provide a tool for practicing image projections in invasive coronary angiography.
Main Methods:
- Material selection based on CT attenuation coefficients similar to heart muscle.
- 3D segmentation of heart anatomy using CT scans and 3D Slicer software.
- 3D printing of the heart phantom, followed by manual drawing of coronary arteries using a tungsten-UV gel mixture.
Main Results:
- The developed phantom accurately represents the anatomical course of the left and right coronary arteries.
- Fluoroscopic images of the phantom closely matched reference coronary angiograms.
- The phantom serves as a validated anatomical model.
Conclusions:
- 3D printing enables the creation of accurate cardiac and coronary artery phantoms.
- These phantoms are effective teaching tools for radiographers in fluoroscopic coronary angiography.
- The use of such phantoms can lead to faster and safer training and practice.
Background:
Coronary artery disease is among the leading causes of death worldwide. The method of choice for coronary artery imaging is catheterization using real-time fluoroscopic images of coronary anatomy and pathology. The aim of the study was to create an anatomically accurate cardiac and coronary artery phantom suitable for learning and practicing image projections in invasive coronary angiography by using computed tomography (CT) image segmentation and 3D printing.
Materials And Methods:
The development of an anatomically accurate heart phantom was carried out in several phases. In the first phase, the material for 3D printing was analysed and the best material with a similar attenuation coefficient to the heart muscle was selected. Then the segmentation of the heart was performed with the 3D Slicer software based on the CT scan. Afterward the phantom of the heart was developed. The anatomy professor of the medical faculty drew coronary arteries on the phantom. The mixture of metal powder (tungsten) and ultraviolet (UV) gel was used to draw the coronary arteries on the heart phantom. In the final stage, the phantom was verified by obtaining and comparing fluoroscopic images of the phantom to reference coronary angiograms from the literature.
Results:
When comparing the images of the phantom with the images from the literature, we found that the phantom represents an anatomically correct course of the left and right coronary arteries.
Conclusions:
It can be concluded that the 3D printing technique can be used to develop an anatomically correct heart phantom with coronary arteries that can be used as a teaching tool for radiographers in fluoroscopic visualization of coronary arteries. Consequently, significantly contributing to a faster and safer practise.
