Development and preliminary evaluation of a camera-assisted endovascular simulator using a three-dimensional printing

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Endovascular Training
• Surgical Education Technology

Background:

• Endovascular procedures require specialized skills.
• Traditional training methods may have limitations.
• Need for accessible and effective training tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a novel simulator for endovascular skills.
• Combine 3D-printed vascular models with camera visualization.
• Evaluate the simulator's preliminary effectiveness and validity.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a simulator with a 3D-printed aorta in a mannequin.
• Utilized a camera for real-time visualization of guidewire and catheter manipulation.
• Assessed performance of 15 novices and 5 experts over two sessions.
• Collected expert feedback on realism and educational value.

Main Results:

• Novices showed significant improvement in task completion times, especially in later exercises.
• Experts demonstrated improvement in one specific exercise.
• Performance differences between novices and experts confirmed construct validity.
• Surgeons rated the simulator highly for realism and usefulness (face and content validity).

Conclusions:

• The developed simulator is feasible for endovascular skill training.
• It offers a potential solution for low-resource educational settings.
• The device provides radiation-free training for early skill acquisition.