3D-Printed Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms for Medical Imaging and Computational Validation Applications.

ABSTRACT: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent, irreversible dilation of the distal region of the aorta. Recent efforts have focused on improved AAA screening and biomechanics-based failure prediction. Idealized and patient-specific AAA phantoms are often employed to validate numerical models and imaging modalities. To produce such phantoms, the investment casting process is frequently used, reconstructing the 3D vessel geometry from computed tomography patient scans. In this study the alternative use of 3D printing to produce phantoms is investigated. The mechanical properties of flexible 3D-printed materials are benchmarked against proven elastomers. We demonstrate the utility of this process with particular application to the emerging imaging modality of ultrasound-based pulse wave i

SUBMITTER: Cloonan AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4981152 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature