Needle penetration test - qualifying examination of 3D printable silicones for vascular models in surgical practice

3D Printing in Medicine

Alexander B. Xepapadeas¹  Christoph Salewski²  Thore von Steuben³  Sebastian Spintzyk³  Moritz Mutschler⁴ 

[1]Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

[2]Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

[3]Section Medical Materials Science and Technology at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr, 2-8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

[4]Section Medical Materials Science and Technology at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr, 2-8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

[5]Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

关键词: Material testing;    Needle penetration test;    Rapid prototyping;    Additive manufacturing;    3D printable silicones;    DIY lab-equipment;    Surgical training;    Medical training;    3D printing;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s41205-021-00110-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDuring cardiogenic shock blood circulation is minimal in the human body and does not suffice to survive. The extracorporeal life support system (ECLS) acts as a miniature heart-lung-machine that can be temporarily implanted over major vessels e.g. at the groin of the patient to bridge cardiogenic shock. To perform this procedure in an emergency, a proper training model is desirable. Therefore, a 3-dimensional-printable (3D) material must be found that mimics large vessel needle penetration properties. A suitable test bench for material comparison is desirable.MethodsA test setup was built, which simulated the clinically relevant wall tension in specimens. The principle was derived from an existing standardized needle penetration test. After design, the setup was fabricated by means of 3D printing and mounted onto an universal testing machine. For testing the setup, a 3D printable polymer with low Shore A hardness and porcine aorta were used. The evaluation was made by comparing the curves of the penetration force to the standardized test considering the expected differences.Results3D printing proved to be suitable for manufacturing the test setup, which finally was able to mimic wall tension as if under blood pressure and penetration angle. The force displacement diagrams showed the expected curves and allowed a conclusion to the mechanical properties of the materials. Although the materials forces deviated between the porcine aorta and the Agilus30 polymer, the graphs showed similar but still characteristic curves.ConclusionsThe test bench provided the expected results and was able to show the differences between the two materials. To improve the setup, limitations has been discussed and changes can be implemented without complications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY