Abstract
Neurosurgeons require considerable expertise and practical experience to deal with the critical situations commonly encountered in complex surgical operations such as cerebral cancer; however, trainees in neurosurgery seldom have the opportunity to develop these skills in the operating room. Physical simulators can give trainees the experience they require. In this study, we adopted advanced molding and replication techniques in the fabrication of a physical simulator for use in practicing the removal of cerebral tumors. Our combination of additive manufacturing and molding technology with elastic material casting made it possible to create a simulator that realistically mimics the skull, brain stem, soft brain lobes, and cerebral cancer with cerebral tumors located precisely where they are likely to appear. Multiple and systematic experiments were conducted to prove that the elastic material used herein was appropriated for building professional medical physical simulator. One neurosurgical trainee reported that under the guidance of a senior neurosurgeon, the physical simulator helped to elucidate the overall process of cerebral cancer removal and provided a realistic impression of the tactile feelings involved in craniotomy. The trainee also learned how to make decisions when facing the infiltration of a cerebral tumor into normal brain lobes. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed physical simulator in preparing trainees for the rigors involved in performing highly delicate surgical operations.
Highlights
Chanda et al [21] developed an inexpensive two-part silicone-based casting system mimicking the nonlinear mechanical properties of white and grey matter. Their novel brain tissue surrogates based on five hyperelastic material models can be used for the study of TBI as well as training in a Polymers 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW
During the training with the physical simulator, the brain lobes will be frequently touched by trainees with different levels of force; a tension test was performed to understand the maximum loading that both materials could survive
We developed a novel molding–casting scheme by which to create a physical simulator to provide practice in the removal of brain tumors
Summary
Formations of cancer cells in the brain (i.e., tumors) can be categorized as primary (starting within the brain) and secondary (spreading from tumors located outside the brain), otherwise known as brain metastasis. D’urso et al [11] and Wurm et al [18] fabricated cerebrovascular simulators using stereolithography (SL) to create aneurysms and the surrounding blood vessels Their devices provide an overview of relevant anatomic structures to assist in planning surgical procedures, such as the selection of appropriate aneurysm clips. Chanda et al [21] developed an inexpensive two-part silicone-based casting system mimicking the nonlinear mechanical properties of white and grey matter Their novel brain tissue surrogates based on five hyperelastic material models can be used for the study of TBI as well as training in a Polymers 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW. Polymers 2022, 14, 1072 an inexpensive two-part silicone-based casting system mimicking the nonlinear mechanical properties of white and grey matter Their novel brain tissue surrogates based on3foifv1e1 hyperelastic material models can be used for the study of TBI as well as training in a clinical setting. FFiigguurree 11.. 33DD-p-prirninteteddpparatrstsofomf medeidciaclaslimsimuluatloatro: r(:a)(ato)ptoapndanbdotbtoomttoomf sokfuslkl uwlilthwpitohsiptioosnitipoinnsp; i(nbs); b(bra) ibnrastinemstewmithwpitohspitoiosnitihoonohkos;o(kcs);a(css)eamssbelmedblsekdusllkaunlldabnrdaibnrasitnemst.em
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