Patient specific biomimetic endovascular simulators

Endovascular procedures can be associated with morbidity due to complex and variable individual anatomy especially when high risk medical conditions and/or critical vessels, such as the visceral, vertebral and especially carotid arteries, are involved. In parallel with the development and initial clinical utilization of novel abdominal and arch aortic endografts, an anatomically accurate and biomechanically realistic planning/training platform was sought in order to face the clinical reality.

Our group have developed and demonstrated the ability to accurately extract patient-specific anatomic regions, based on CT scan data and effectively convert it into biomimetic elastomeric models of selected implantation candidates.

These models are now being used as integral part of the pre-operative screening, modules` sizing, planning and training routine in potentially complex cases.

The predictive merit of this routine has proved invaluable in the learning curve of new operators for our innovative endovascular interventions.

It is a hands-on tool for engineers to get hands-on experience.

Physicians can examine and practice all stages of performing implantations before the actual procedures thereby reducing uncertainty and increasing success rates.