3D Printed Model of Airway for Clinical Simulation

Maheswaran Viyannan Maheswaran Viyannan,Pananghat A Kumar Pananghat A Kumar,Karthikeyan Ramaraju Karthikeyan Ramaraju,Gunaseelan Murugesan Gunaseelan Murugesan,Sreedharkumar Eswarswamy Sreedharkumar Eswarswamy

doi:10.47009/ajmrr.2020.8.2.8

Abstract

Background: The present medical curriculum aims at training the students to be proficient in performing techniques required for clinical practice. This is best achieved through clinical simulation, which has emerged as a successful method for clinical learning. Residents in respiratory medicine need to be trained in the procedure of bronchoscopy for which a functional model of the airway is required. Airway mannequins for this purpose can be produced using 3D printing technology, which involves the usage of sophisticated software. Subjects and Methods: Serial axial CT images of the chest, revealing details of the respiratory tract were selected as the base resource to recreate the bronchial tree by 3D printing. This DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images after conversion into STL (Stero lithography) format were transferred into a 3D printer and physical models were made from these data, using Vero clear and rubber. This model which had a life-like form and consistency required for practicing the skill was connected to an airway mannequin using an adaptor to practice the skill. Conclusions: Axial CT scan images provide the base data for reconstructing the airway of a patient, using 3D printing technology and appropriate software. Such reconstructions can be used to produce a functional model of the airway, which can be used for training in bronchoscopy. The training system could be connected to a monitor thereby facilitating tracking of the probe of the bronchoscope. Repeated trials make the trainees perfect their technique. Our attempt to replicating the tracheobronchial tree for such training has been a success.

Highlights

[1] Clinical skills are best learned through simulation, which has emerged as a successful method for practical learning
Radiological images of computed tomography (CT) and MRI data in digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) format are an ideal source for 3D printing
A working model of the tracheobronchial tree was constructed using the 3D printing technology, using material that permitted the bronchoscope to pass through the airway till it reached specific bronchopulmonary segments

Summary

Introduction

Medical educationists have been stressing the importance and relevance of skills training for students at all levels of their career and the recent document from Medical Council of India (MCI) clearly lists out the various skills which have been mandated for inclusion at different stages of their undergraduate training. [1] Clinical skills are best learned through simulation, which has emerged as a successful method for practical learning. The present medical curriculum aims at training the students to be proficient in performing techniques required for clinical practice This is best achieved through clinical simulation, which has emerged as a successful method for clinical learning. Subjects and Methods: Serial axial CT images of the chest, revealing details of the respiratory tract were selected as the base resource to recreate the bronchial tree by 3D printing This DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images after conversion into STL (Stero lithography) format were transferred into a 3D printer and physical models were made from these data, using Vero clear and rubber. Conclusions: Axial CT scan images provide the base data for reconstructing the airway of a patient, using 3D printing technology and appropriate software Such reconstructions can be used to produce a functional model of the airway, which can be used for training in bronchoscopy. Our attempt to replicating the tracheobronchial tree for such training has been a success

Methods

Results

Conclusion