CT-based 3D-printed coronary artery phantom for imaging projection education.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease is among the leading causes of death worldwide. The method of choice for coronary artery imaging is catheterization using real-time fluoroscopic images of coronary anatomy and pathology. The aim of the study was to create an anatomically accurate cardiac and coronary artery phantom suitable for learning and practicing image projections in invasive coronary angiography by using computed tomography (CT) image segmentation and 3D printing.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The development of an anatomically accurate heart phantom was carried out in several phases. In the first phase, the material for 3D printing was analysed and the best material with a similar attenuation coefficient to the heart muscle was selected. Then the segmentation of the heart was performed with the 3D Slicer software based on the CT scan. Afterward the phantom of the heart was developed. The anatomy professor of the medical faculty drew coronary arteries on the phantom. The mixture of metal powder (tungsten) and ultraviolet (UV) gel was used to draw the coronary arteries on the heart phantom. In the final stage, the phantom was verified by obtaining and comparing fluoroscopic images of the phantom to reference coronary angiograms from the literature.

RESULTS

When comparing the images of the phantom with the images from the literature, we found that the phantom represents an anatomically correct course of the left and right coronary arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that the 3D printing technique can be used to develop an anatomically correct heart phantom with coronary arteries that can be used as a teaching tool for radiographers in fluoroscopic visualization of coronary arteries. Consequently, significantly contributing to a faster and safer practise.