Production of Intracranial dynamic aneurysm models for neurosurgical applications and future directions

A large portion of intracranial aneurysm is found complex to be treated due to their anatomy and limited degrees of freedom under the microsurgical field. Experts with several years of aneurysm clipping experience find it difficult to visualize the image dataset as a 3D object for treatment planning. At the same time, medical residents are also not exposed to realistic training environment due to the complexity in reproducing the microvascular structures. Advancements in additive manufacturing approaches have paved a way to produce dynamic intracranial aneurysm with patency and blood flow like in a real patient. This paper discusses the approaches followed to produce realistic aneurysm models suitable for bench-top dynamic clip training stations. Such a model will also lead to explore various possibilities to improve the surgeon’s learning curve, establish better clipping strategies, understand the clinical workflow during medical residency and pre-operative practice and develop robotic manipulators and guidance for accurate clipping interventions.