Purpose or Case Report: 3D printing technology presents a unique opportunity for the creation of custom phantoms for training and simulation for pediatric interventional procedures that are complex and/or uncommonly performed. The purpose of this study was to describe the elements of designing a 3D phantom for simulation of pediatric abdominal intra -vascular procedures.
Methods & Materials: In order to create a phantom design considerations such as the consistency of the "soft tissues", vascular system, creation of flow simulation and visibility of the vascular components using fluoroscopy, needed to be considered.
Results: Silicone was the chosen material poured into 3D printed molds with break-away and dissolvable internal cavities to create the anatomic vein and atrial system. The phantom design was also divided into three main regions of interest: chest, neck, and thigh. Rubber tube connections between the regions and pumps allowed for circulatory flow.
The design process of the phantom consisted of incorporating several 15-year-old patient CTA exams to create the atrial and venous pathways. The pathways were then aligned with regions (chest, neck, thigh) segmented from CT exams in MaterialiseMimics and3-Matic. Connection ports between regions were added. Access points covered with a replaceable “skin patch” were added to the neck and thigh regions for reusability. The mold and breakaway cavities were 3D printed on a StratasysFortus450mcin ABS plastic. Smooth-On Ecoflex30was selected for molding to simulate the body and DragonSkin10for the skin patch based off the ShoreValue.
Phantom feasibilityfor fluoroscopic visibility, contrast visibility, angiography, venography and device placement and removal was assessed and was successful in this prototype.
Conclusions: Phantom creation for pediatric interventional radiology simulation and training is an exciting prospect in pediatric IR for complex and/uncommonly performed procedures both for attending staff skill maintenance and initial training for fellows and residents. Going forward subsections of this phantom will be removable for repeat procedures such as stent placement.