title: Development of three-dimensional hollow elastic model for cerebral aneurysm clipping simulation enabling rapid and low cost prototyping.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed a method for fabricating a three-dimensional hollow and elastic aneurysm model useful for surgical simulation and surgical training. In this article, we explain the hollow elastic model prototyping method and report on the effects of applying it to presurgical simulation and surgical training.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-dimensional printer using acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene as a modeling material was used to produce a vessel model. The prototype was then coated with liquid silicone. After the silicone had hardened, the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene was melted with xylene and removed, leaving an outer layer as a hollow elastic model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simulations using the hollow elastic model were performed in 12 patients. In all patients, the clipping proceeded as scheduled. The surgeon's postoperative assessment was favorable in all cases. This method enables easy fabrication at low cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation using the hollow elastic model is thought to be useful for understanding of three-dimensional aneurysm structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan. Electronic address: mashiko@jichi.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mashiko
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.affiliation: Medical Simulation Center, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryutaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yumiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiju
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003196:Computer Graphics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D038361:Neuronavigation / Q000379:methods; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional
keywords: 3D model; 3D printing; Cerebral aneurysm; Clipping; Rapid prototyping; Surgical simulation; Surgical training