Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Development and Evaluation of 3D-Printed Cardiovascular Phantoms for Interventional Planning and Training
Published on: January 18, 2021
Development and preliminary evaluation of a camera-assisted endovascular simulator using a three-dimensional printing
Bruno Tavares de Andrade1, Carlo Átila Holanda Lopes1, Yury Tavares de Lima1
1Universidade de Fortaleza - Medical School - Surgical Skills and Simulation Center - Fortaleza (CE) - Brazil.
Purpose:
This study described the development and preliminary evaluation of a simulator that combines a three-dimensional-printed vascular model with a camera-assisted system for training basic endovascular skills.
Methods:
A hollow mannequin torso housed a transparent, three-dimensional-printed aorta. Guidewire and catheter manipulation were visualized in real time using a manually controlled camera. Fifteen medical students (novices) and five vascular surgeons (experts) performed simulated tasks in two sessions. Experts also assessed realism and educational value.
Results:
Novices demonstrated shorter completion times across all exercises in session 2, particularly in exercise 4, with mean time decreasing from 229.3 ± 134.8 to 83.5 ± 31.1 seconds, a mean difference of 145.8 seconds (p = 0.001). Experts showed no significant improvement in most tasks, although exercise 3 improved from 115.4 ± 29.7 to 91.6 ± 21.5 seconds, a mean difference of 23.8 seconds (p = 0.012). Performance differed between groups (construct validity). Surgeons provided favorable ratings for the realism and usefulness (face and content validity).
Conclusion:
This preliminary device appears feasible and may facilitate early skill acquisition in low-resource educational settings without radiation exposure.
