Short answer

When developing endovascular devices, prioritize creating simulation models that accurately replicate physiological flow, pressure, and anatomical variations relevant to the target condition, utilizing materials that balance visibility and realistic interaction.

Field: Modelling
Source: Journal of neurosurgery (2020)
Method: Experimental modelling and simulation
Evidence: Strong effect

A novel, low-cost benchtop simulator using 3D-printed phantoms and a customized hydraulic system allows for realistic, radiation-free testing of mechanical thrombectomy devices for stroke treatment. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Journal of neurosurgery. Using Experimental modelling and simulation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When developing endovascular devices, prioritize creating simulation models that accurately replicate physiological flow, pressure, and anatomical variations relevant to the target condition, utilizing materials that balance visibility and realistic interaction.

Study

ModellingHigh ImpactStrong effect

3D-Printed Cerebrovascular Phantom Enables Realistic Thrombectomy Device Simulation

A novel, low-cost benchtop simulator using 3D-printed phantoms and a customized hydraulic system allows for realistic, radiation-free testing of mechanical thrombectomy devices for stroke treatment.

Journal of neurosurgery · 2020

Key Findings

01The 3D-printed cerebrovascular phantom was the easiest to manufacture.
02The glass model offered the best visibility of device-embolus interaction.
03The flexible model most accurately mimicked endovascular system behavior during navigation.
04The hydraulic system successfully generated physiological flow and pressure, leading to iatrogenic embolization.
05Embolus analogs consistently occluded the middle cerebral artery bifurcation under physiological flow.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Utilize 3D printing to create custom anatomical phantoms for simulating medical procedures. Integrate hydraulic systems to mimic physiological flow rates and pressures. Experiment with different phantom materials to optimize visibility and interaction realism.

Project actions

01Consider using rapid prototyping techniques to create custom anatomical models for your design projects.
02Investigate how to replicate realistic environmental conditions (e.g., fluid dynamics, material properties) for your simulations.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop and validate a versatile, affordable, and realistic benchtop simulation model for mechanical thrombectomy in stroke.

MethodExperimental modelling and simulation

ProcedureA test bed was constructed using 3D-printed and commercially available cerebrovascular phantoms, a customized hydraulic system to replicate physiological flow and pressure, and two types of embolus analogs. The system was used to simulate embolic occlusions and test mechanical thrombectomy devices in a radiation-free environment.

ContextBiomedical engineering, medical device development, neurosurgery simulation

Variables

IVType of cerebrovascular phantom (3D-printed, glass, flexible), type of embolus analog (elastic, fragment-prone).

DVRealism of simulation, ease of manufacturing, visibility of interaction, accuracy of embolus occlusion, iatrogenic embolization.

CVPhysiological flow rate and pressure generated by the hydraulic system, type of thrombectomy device used (implied).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Low-cost and versatile platform.
+Realistic simulation of physiological conditions.
+Radiation-free testing environment.

Limitations

The cost of 3D printing and specialized hydraulic components can still be a barrier. The accuracy of the simulation is dependent on the fidelity of the phantom and the embolus analog.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by the successful replication of physiological conditions and consistent embolus occlusion. Reliability is suggested by the consistent visualization of embolus-device interaction across different phantom types.

Think critically

To what extent can a benchtop simulation, even a highly realistic one, fully capture the complexities and unpredictability of in-vivo biological systems?

Design Principles

"Simulate physiological conditions and anatomical complexities to accurately evaluate medical device performance."

This research provides a practical and accessible method for evaluating the performance of endovascular devices in a simulated physiological environment. It allows designers and engineers to iterate on device designs and understand their interaction with simulated occlusions before clinical trials, potentially accelerating innovation and reducing development costs.

What This Means for Your Design

Researchers created a cheap, realistic fake blood vessel system using 3D printing and a special pump to test tools for removing blood clots in stroke patients without using real people or animals.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of accurate modelling and simulation in your design process, especially for medical or complex mechanical systems.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of a realistic and affordable simulation model, as demonstrated by Reddy et al. (2020) for mechanical thrombectomy, highlights the critical role of accurate modelling in advancing medical device design. Their use of 3D-printed cerebrovascular phantoms and a customized hydraulic system provided a radiation-free platform to evaluate device-embolus interactions, offering valuable insights into design performance that would be difficult or costly to obtain through other means.

Source

Journal of neurosurgery

Construction of a comprehensive endovascular test bed for research and device development in mechanical thrombectomy in stroke

journal · 2020

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about 3d-printed cerebrovascular phantom enables realistic thrombectomy device simulation?: When developing endovascular devices, prioritize creating simulation models that accurately replicate physiological flow, pressure, and anatomical variations relevant to the target condition, utilizing materials that balance visibility and realistic interaction. Evidence: Journal of neurosurgery (2020).
Why does "3D-Printed Cerebrovascular Phantom Enables Realistic Thrombectomy Device Simulation" matter for design?: This research provides a practical and accessible method for evaluating the performance of endovascular devices in a simulated physiological environment. It allows designers and engineers to iterate on device designs and understand their interaction with simulated occlusions before clinical trials, potentially accelerating innovation and reducing development costs.
How can designers apply this research?: When developing endovascular devices, prioritize creating simulation models that accurately replicate physiological flow, pressure, and anatomical variations relevant to the target condition, utilizing materials that balance visibility and realistic interaction.
What were the main findings?: The 3D-printed cerebrovascular phantom was the easiest to manufacture.. The glass model offered the best visibility of device-embolus interaction.. The flexible model most accurately mimicked endovascular system behavior during navigation.. The hydraulic system successfully generated physiological flow and pressure, leading to iatrogenic embolization.
What research method was used?: Experimental modelling and simulation.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Journal of neurosurgery.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Utilize 3D printing to create custom anatomical phantoms for simulating medical procedures. Integrate hydraulic systems to mimic physiological flow rates and pressures. Experiment with different phantom materials to optimize visibility and interaction realism.
What are the limitations?: The phantoms did not model very small vessels (<1mm) or perforating arteries, nor did they exhibit realistic deformation or collapse during device manipulation. The embolus analogs, while effective, were not perfect replicas of biological clots.