Establishment of virtual three-dimensional model for intravascular interventional devices and its clinical value

Abstract

Objective To explore virtual three-dimensional (3D) model for intravascular interventional devices,the method of preoperative simulation and its value in clinical work.Methods The virtual models including catheter,guide wire,stent and coil were established by using the 3D moulding software of 3D Studio MAX R3. The interventional preoperative simulation was performed on personal computer including 21 patients of cerebral aneurysm embolization ( anterior communicating artery 5,posterior communicating artery 10,middle cerebral artery 3,internal carotid artery 2,and vertebral artery 1 ),during interventional procedures,the surgeon relied on the simulation results for plastic micro-guide wire,catheter and the release of micro-coils and stents.Results ( 1 ) All the virtual instruments and real instruments had similar shape,the overall tine for constructing virtual model was about 20 hours.The preoperative simulation took 50 to 80 minutes. (2) The simulation result of catheter insertion in the 18 cases had relevant value to guide micro-catheter,molding micro-guide wire tip,and shortened the operating time.For embolization,the simulation results of filling coil and releasing stent were similar to surgical results in 76％ of the patients (16/21).(3)For teaching and training,93％ (38/41) of doctors in training believed that preoperative simulation facilitated the understanding of surgery. Conclusions The method of virtual model of intravascular interventional devices was reliable.The preoperative simulation results could be used to guide practical clinical operation with relatively high degree of similarity,and could play a role in promoting researches on interventional virtual operations. Key words: Radiology, interventional ; Computer simulation ; Prostheses and implants ; Imaging, three-dimensional