3D printing for aneurysms clipping elective surgery

This paper deals with the realisation of 3D printed cerebral aneurysms by using the direct light processing (DLP) technique. The aim was to improve the anatomy knowledge, training and surgical planning on individualised patient-specific basis. Computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography of three patients were used to create 3D virtual models by using a commercial image-processing software. The DLP technique was aimed at realising the corresponding 3D physical models. These were firstly evaluated by the surgeons and then, if acceptable, used for the patient-specific treatment planning. All three models provided a comprehensive 3D representation of the related anatomical structure of the aneurysms improving the understanding of the surrounding vessels and their relationships. Moreover, the use of the DLP technology allowed fabricating the 3D models of the cerebral aneurysms in a low-time and low-cost consuming way.