Justin R Ryan1, Tsinsue Chen2, Peter Nakaji2, David H Frakes3, L Fernando Gonzalez4. 1. School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA. Electronic address: jrryan@asu.edu. 2. Division of Neurological Surgery Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 3. School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA; School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA. 4. Duke Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Educational simulators provide a means for students and experts to learn and refine surgical skills. Educators can leverage the strengths of medical simulators to effectively teach complex and high-risk surgical procedures, such as placement of an external ventricular drain. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop a cost-effective, patient-derived medical simulacrum for cerebral lateral ventriculostomy. METHODS: A cost-effective, patient-derived medical simulacrum was developed for placement of an external lateral ventriculostomy. Elastomeric and gel casting techniques were used to achieve realistic brain geometry and material properties. 3D printing technology was leveraged to develop accurate cranial properties and dimensions. An economical, gravity-driven pump was developed to provide normal and abnormal ventricular pressures. A small pilot study was performed to gauge simulation efficacy using a technology acceptance model. RESULTS: An accurate geometric representation of the brain was developed with independent lateral cerebral ventricular chambers. A gravity-driven pump pressurized the ventricular cavities to physiologic values. A qualitative study illustrated that the simulation has potential as an educational tool to train medical professionals in the ventriculostomy procedure. CONCLUSION: The ventricular simulacrum can improve learning in a medical education environment. Rapid prototyping and multi-material casting techniques can produce patient-derived models for cost-effective and realistic surgical training scenarios.
BACKGROUND: Educational simulators provide a means for students and experts to learn and refine surgical skills. Educators can leverage the strengths of medical simulators to effectively teach complex and high-risk surgical procedures, such as placement of an external ventricular drain. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop a cost-effective, patient-derived medical simulacrum for cerebral lateral ventriculostomy. METHODS: A cost-effective, patient-derived medical simulacrum was developed for placement of an external lateral ventriculostomy. Elastomeric and gel casting techniques were used to achieve realistic brain geometry and material properties. 3D printing technology was leveraged to develop accurate cranial properties and dimensions. An economical, gravity-driven pump was developed to provide normal and abnormal ventricular pressures. A small pilot study was performed to gauge simulation efficacy using a technology acceptance model. RESULTS: An accurate geometric representation of the brain was developed with independent lateral cerebral ventricular chambers. A gravity-driven pump pressurized the ventricular cavities to physiologic values. A qualitative study illustrated that the simulation has potential as an educational tool to train medical professionals in the ventriculostomy procedure. CONCLUSION: The ventricular simulacrum can improve learning in a medical education environment. Rapid prototyping and multi-material casting techniques can produce patient-derived models for cost-effective and realistic surgical training scenarios.