TY - JOUR
T1 - Liver Phantoms Cast in 3D-Printed Mold for Image-Guided Procedures
AU - Elisei, Radu Claudiu
AU - Graur, Florin
AU - Melzer, Andreas
AU - Moldovan, Sever Calin
AU - Tiu, Calin
AU - Popa, Calin
AU - Mois, Emil
AU - Pisla, Doina
AU - Vaida, Calin
AU - Ștefănescu, Horia
AU - Coțe, Adrian
AU - Al-Hajjar, Nadim
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/7
Y1 - 2024/7
N2 - Introduction: Image-guided invasive procedures on the liver require a steep learning curve to acquire the necessary skills. The best and safest way to achieve these skills is through hands-on courses that include simulations and phantoms of different complications, without any risks for patients. There are many liver phantoms on the market made of various materials; however, there are few multimodal liver phantoms, and only two are cast in a 3D-printed mold. Methods: We created a virtual liver and 3D-printed mold by segmenting a CT scan. The InVesalius and Autodesk Fusion 360 software packages were used for segmentation and 3D modeling. Using this modular mold, we cast and tested silicone- and gelatin-based liver phantoms with tumor and vascular formations inside. We tested the gelatin liver phantoms for several procedures, including ultrasound diagnosis, elastography, fibroscan, ultrasound-guided biopsy, ultrasound-guided drainage, ultrasound-guided radio-frequency ablation, CT scan diagnosis, CT–ultrasound fusion, CT-guided biopsy, and MRI diagnosis. The phantoms were also used in hands-on ultrasound courses at four international congresses. Results: We evaluated the feedback of 33 doctors regarding their experiences in using and learning on liver phantoms to validate our model for training in ultrasound procedures. Conclusions: We validated our liver phantom solution, demonstrating its positive impact on the education of young doctors who can safely learn new procedures thus improving the outcomes of patients with different liver pathologies.
AB - Introduction: Image-guided invasive procedures on the liver require a steep learning curve to acquire the necessary skills. The best and safest way to achieve these skills is through hands-on courses that include simulations and phantoms of different complications, without any risks for patients. There are many liver phantoms on the market made of various materials; however, there are few multimodal liver phantoms, and only two are cast in a 3D-printed mold. Methods: We created a virtual liver and 3D-printed mold by segmenting a CT scan. The InVesalius and Autodesk Fusion 360 software packages were used for segmentation and 3D modeling. Using this modular mold, we cast and tested silicone- and gelatin-based liver phantoms with tumor and vascular formations inside. We tested the gelatin liver phantoms for several procedures, including ultrasound diagnosis, elastography, fibroscan, ultrasound-guided biopsy, ultrasound-guided drainage, ultrasound-guided radio-frequency ablation, CT scan diagnosis, CT–ultrasound fusion, CT-guided biopsy, and MRI diagnosis. The phantoms were also used in hands-on ultrasound courses at four international congresses. Results: We evaluated the feedback of 33 doctors regarding their experiences in using and learning on liver phantoms to validate our model for training in ultrasound procedures. Conclusions: We validated our liver phantom solution, demonstrating its positive impact on the education of young doctors who can safely learn new procedures thus improving the outcomes of patients with different liver pathologies.
KW - diagnostic training
KW - gelatin-based phantom
KW - image guided
KW - liver biopsy
KW - liver mold
KW - liver surgery
KW - training
KW - ultrasound guided
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199649680&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/diagnostics14141521
DO - 10.3390/diagnostics14141521
M3 - Article
C2 - 39061658
AN - SCOPUS:85199649680
SN - 2075-4418
VL - 14
JO - Diagnostics
JF - Diagnostics
IS - 14
M1 - 1521
ER -