Soft tissue rapid prototyping in neurosurgery.
As part of our research into the fluid hydrodynamics of the human ventricular system, a fused deposition model of the human ventricular system was made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. This article describes the manufacturing of a positive cast of the ventricles as a first step in the construction of a hollow model. After decryption of the original MRI file (ACR-Nema format), the MRI slices were reassembled semiautomatically and a rapid prototyping station produced a resin model. Because of its ease and speed, this method harbors great potential for teaching purposes, research, and preoperative planning in complex three-dimensional soft tissue targets.
Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, University of Nottingham, England, U.K. michael.vloeberghs@nottingham.ac.uk
M
M
Vloeberghs
F
F
Hatfield
F
F
Daemi
P
P
Dickens
D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012106:Research; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012212:Rheology; D013664:Teaching Materials
D012117:Resins, Synthetic