Multilayered Artificial Dura-Mater Models for a Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery Simulator

Masaru Takeuchi,Akihiko Ichikawa,Yasuhisa Hasegawa,Shusaku Hayakawa,Akiyuki Hasegawa,Toshio Fukuda

doi:10.3390/app10249000

Masaru Takeuchi, Akihiko Ichikawa + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app10249000

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Journal: Applied sciences	Publication Date: Dec 16, 2020
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Nagoya University, Meijo University

Abstract

In this study, new artificial dura-mater models were developed using a multilayered structure of a rubber material (represent an elastic component of a dura-mater) and a fiber sheet (represent fiber component of a dura-mater). The artificial dura-mater models were prepared for use in a brain surgery simulator, especially for transnasal pituitary surgery. The mechanical characteristics of the artificial dura-mater models were tested to check the similarities with porcine dura-mater. Tensile stress, viscoelasticity, and the cutting force generated by microscissors were tested to evaluate the fabricated models. Neurosurgeons also assessed the dura-mater models to evaluate their characteristics. The results indicate that these models made of two different non-woven fiber sheets emulated accurately the actual dura-mater.

Highlights

This paper shows the development of dura-mater models for a brain surgical simulator, especially for transnasal pituitary surgery
The evaluation of developed dura-mater models was conducted by measuring their mechanical characteristics and comparing them with that of porcine dura-mater
We developed artificial dura-mater models for a simulator of brain surgery using combinations of an elastic rubber and polypropylene fibers with two different fiber diameters

Summary

Introduction

This has led to the necessity of enhanced surgical skills. The VR simulators can construct and display surgical targets and environments flexibly, such as body parts (skin, bones, organs, blood vessels), and surgical tools in virtual spaces. In this way, physicians demonstrate and improve their surgical skills through constructed VR environments [1,2,3,4]. Physicians are trained in arbitrary conditions by a VR simulator to improve their surgical skills or to practice the testing of new surgical instruments. The VR simulators have some limitations because they do not allow to use of actual surgical instruments or devices during a surgical simulation

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Results

Conclusion