| Literature DB >> 34997376 |
R Kaufmann1,2, C J Zech3, M Takes3, P Brantner3, F Thieringer4, M Deutschmann5, K Hergan5, B Scharinger5, S Hecht5, R Rezar6, B Wernly6, M Meissnitzer5.
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing of vascular structures is of special interest for procedure simulations in Interventional Radiology, but remains due to the complexity of the vascular system and the lack of biological tissue mimicking 3D printing materials a technical challenge. In this study, the technical feasibility, accuracy, and usability of a recently introduced silicone-like resin were evaluated for endovascular procedure simulations and technically compared to a commonly used standard clear resin. Fifty-four vascular models based on twenty-seven consecutive embolization cases were fabricated from preinterventional CT scans and each model was checked for printing success and accuracy by CT-scanning and digital comparison to its original CT data. Median deltas (Δ) of luminal diameters were 0.35 mm for clear and 0.32 mm for flexible resin (216 measurements in total) with no significant differences (p > 0.05). Printing success was 85.2% for standard clear and 81.5% for the novel flexible resin. In conclusion, vascular 3D printing with silicone-like flexible resin was technically feasible and highly accurate. This is the first and largest consecutive case series of 3D-printed embolizations with a novel biological tissue mimicking material and is a promising next step in patient-specific procedure simulations in Interventional Radiology.Entities:
Keywords: Angiography; Printing; Radiology, Interventional; Stereolithography; Three-dimensional
Mesh:
Substances:
Year: 2022 PMID: 34997376 PMCID: PMC8854516 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-021-00553-z
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Digit Imaging ISSN: 0897-1889 Impact factor: 4.056
The manufacturing process. Summary of the steps of our manufacturing process for vascular 3D printing with clear and flexible resin, used in this case series
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. CT scan | Standard protocol |
| 2. Segmentation | |
| 3. 3D modeling | |
| 4. 3D printing | |
| 5. Cleaning | The printed models were at first |
| 6. Support removal | |
| 7. Curing | The models were finally |
Fig. 1Principle of the diameter measurements of the CT-scanned vascular models and their original CT data. Each case was measured for mean luminal diameters on the patient’s CT scan as well as the related CT-scanned printed models (clear and flexible resin) at three predefined points: (1) the aorta, (2) the procedure-relevant main branch, and (3) the smallest procedure-relevant artery
Printing accuracy. The printing accuracy was rated based on the absolute delta (Δ) of the vascular model diameters compared to their originating CT scan
| > 1.5 mm | Insufficient |
| 1.0–1.5 mm | Sufficient |
| 0.5–1 mm | Good |
| < 0.5 mm | Excellent |
The embolization case series. Overview and description of the consecutive embolization case series including 27 patients which were used to fabricate 54 vascular models with two different printing materials
| Liver | Hemorrhage from tumor (1 ×), hemangioma (1 ×), and operation (2 ×) | 4 |
| Pancreas | Pseudoaneurysm in the arterial arcades of the pancreas after pancreatitis (1 ×) | 1 |
| Spleen | Splenic artery aneurysm (2 ×) and pseudoaneurysm after pancreatitis (1 ×) | 3 |
| Kidney | Hemorrhage from tumor (3 ×), renal cyst (1 ×), and operation (1 ×) | 5 |
| Gastrointestinal system | Mesenteric pseudoaneurysm (1 ×), hemorrhage from duodenal ulcer (1 ×), anticoagulation (1 ×), and GI tumor (2 ×) | 5 |
| Retroperitoneum | Hemorrhage from trauma (1 ×), anticoagulation (1 ×), and post-TAVI (1 ×) | 3 |
| Pulmonary | Hemorrhage from tumor (2 ×) and cystic fibrosis (1 ×), pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (1 ×) | 3 |
| Soft tissue | Trauma under anticoagulation (2 ×) | 2 |
Printing successResults of the manufacturing process, separated into the two printing materials clear (V4) and flexible resin (80A)
| Print error ( | 1 | 2 |
| Segmentation error ( | 1 | 1 |
| Lack of detail on the CT-scan error ( | 2 | 2 |
| Overall failed prints ( | 4 | 5 |
| Overall successful prints ( | 23 | 22 |
Fig. 2Excerpt of the manufacturing process and simulation setting. A 3D printer with a set of printed models in front. B Curing step; note that support structures are already removed. C Simulation setting with a smartphone camera for 2D projection and a LED panel to improve the visibility of guidewires and catheters inside the model
Fig. 3Proof of flexibility and transparency of a CT-derived vascular model, printed with flexible resin. The aorta and its branches are easily compressed with two fingers, demonstrating the flexible quality of this novel 3D-printing material. Transparency is high and can be further improved as demonstrated by background lighting with a LED panel
Technical accuracy. Median luminal diameters, absolute deltas (Δ) in millimeter, and relative deltas in percent for aorta, main branch, and smallest procedure-relevant artery including the interquartile range (IQR). No significant differences were found between the printed models and their original CT (each p > 0.05) using Friedman’s test (1) and Dunn’s multiple comparison test for the diameters, as well as Wilcoxon matched-pair signed rank test for the deltas
| Original CT | 19.5 (± 6.3) mm | 0.58 1 | 5.9 (± 2.4) mm | 0.21 1 | 3.2 (± 1.8) mm | 0.30 1 |
| Clear resin (V4) | 18.9 (± 5.3) mm | 0.62 | 6.1 (± 2.6) mm | > 0.99 | 3.0 (± 1.8) mm | 0.50 |
| Flexible resin (80A) | 19.0 (± 5.5) mm | 0.94 | 5.9 (± 2.5) mm | 0.22 | 3.0 (± 1.6) mm | 0.30 |
| CT vs. clear resin | 0.48 (± 0.55) mm | 0.18 | 0.40 (± 0.36) mm | 0.43 | 0.23 (± 0.25) mm | 0.54 |
| CT vs. flexible resin | 0.67 (± 0.54) mm | 0.30 (± 0.36) mm | 0.18 (± 0.21) mm | |||
| CT vs. clear resin | 2.66 (± 2.70)% | 0.15 | 6.31 (± 5.31)% | 0.65 | 6.52 (± 10.28)% | 0.56 |
| CT vs. flexible resin | 3.63 (± 3.17)% | 6.27 (± 7.93)% | 7.21 (± 8.46)% | |||
Fig. 4Box plots and scatter plots including the p-values for the mean diameters, the delta (Δ) in millimeter, and the delta in percent (%) measured on the CT scans of the patients, as well as the CT scans of the clear and flexible resin models in the subgroups aorta, procedure-relevant main branch, and smallest procedure-relevant artery
Fig. 5Distribution of deltas (Δ) in percent (%) with 0.5-mm increment for both materials and the subgroups aorta, main branch, and smallest artery. All deltas for the aorta were less than 1.5 mm and for main branch and smallest artery less than 1 mm. No statistical outliers were observed
Fig. 6Applications of vascular 3D printing for IR. A The main catheter navigated to the celiac trunk in a severely calcified aorta (Note that calcifications were subtracted from the vessels; only the contrast enhanced vascular lumen was printed). B Examples of vascular models manufactured within this case series. C Simulation of the embolization of a gastroduodenal artery using a microcatheter system and coils. D Example of a 3D-printed splenic artery pseudoaneurysm caused by pancreatitis