Digital workflow for high-risk, low-volume procedure simulation

Abstract

Introduction: The effectiveness of simulation in medicine for teaching and assessing procedural skills is well documented; however, simulation technologies are not always available due to the high cost of simulators and lack of specific training. With the advances in digital modeling and 3D printing, we can create less expensive, more specific, and more readily available models to represent these tricky procedures, allowing for more robust training of our medical professionals. Methods: The process begins with a radiological scan that is segmented to capture the anatomies associated with the desired condition. We tested two different methods for fabrication; one made on a multi-material poly jet printer and the other using a selective laser sintering (SLS) TPU printer. Results: Our first method produced a model that was not adequate for our use case. The second method produced a model that worked for our use case and captured the geometry well. The SLS printer proved more durable, mechanically accurate, and feasible for simulating massive hemoptysis than method 1. This model was used in the airway management simulations with the PCCM Fellows and was deemed exempt by COMIRB 21-3067, the institutional review board of the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus. Conclusion: Our method proved to be successful in producing models that are high-detailed, inexpensive, and reproducible to teach specific medical procedures.