ArticleBioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)2022
Development of a CT-Compatible, Anthropomorphic Skull and Brain Phantom for Neurosurgical Planning, Training, and Simulation.
Article in Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland), 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Training models and simulators for endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: a systematic review.Neurosurgical review · 2023Pooled it
- Development and validation of a novel three-dimensional patient-specific pediatric brain phantom for computed tomography neuroimaging research.Pediatric radiology · 2026Article
- Cadaver-based hands-on course in cervical spine surgery: a prospective evaluation of surgical confidence and self-perceived autonomy.Acta neurochirurgica · 2026Article
- Anatomical digital twins for medical education: a stepwise guide to create perpetual multimodal three-dimensional reconstruction of digital brain specimens.Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery · 2025Article
- Development and Validation of a Neurosurgical Phantom for Simulating External Ventricular Drain Placement.Journal of medical systems · 2025Article
- Assessment of Dose Calculation Accuracy of TiGRT Treatment Planning System Versus BEAMnrc Simulation in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Phantom study.Journal of medical signals and sensors · 2025Article
- Fabrication and Dielectric Validation of an Arm Phantom for Electromyostimulation.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Emerging Biomedical and Clinical Applications of 3D-Printed Poly(Lactic Acid)-Based Devices and Delivery Systems.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Optimized radiofrequency shimming using low-heating B1+-mapping in the presence of deep brain stimulation implants: Proof of concept.PloS one · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundNeurosurgical procedures are complex and require years of training and experience. Traditional training on human cadavers is expensive, requires facilities and planning, and raises ethical concerns. Therefore, the use of anthropomorphic phantoms could be an excellent substitute. The aim of the study was to design and develop a patient-specific 3D-skull and brain model with realistic CT-attenuation suitable for conventional and augmented reality (AR)-navigated neurosurgical simulations.
methodsThe radiodensity of materials considered for the skull and brain phantoms were investigated using cone beam CT (CBCT) and compared to the radiodensities of the human skull and brain. The mechanical properties of the materials considered were tested in the laboratory and subsequently evaluated by clinically active neurosurgeons. Optimization of the phantom for the intended purposes was performed in a feedback cycle of tests and improvements.
resultsThe skull, including a complete representation of the nasal cavity and skull base, was 3D printed using polylactic acid with calcium carbonate. The brain was cast using a mixture of water and coolant, with 4 wt% polyvinyl alcohol and 0.1 wt% barium sulfate, in a mold obtained from segmentation of CBCT and T1 weighted MR images from a cadaver. The experiments revealed that the radiodensities of the skull and brain phantoms were 547 and 38 Hounsfield units (HU), as compared to real skull bone and brain tissues with values of around 1300 and 30 HU, respectively. As for the mechanical properties testing, the brain phantom exhibited a similar elasticity to real brain tissue. The phantom was subsequently evaluated by neurosurgeons in simulations of endonasal skull-base surgery, brain biopsies, and external ventricular drain (EVD) placement and found to fulfill the requirements of a surgical phantom.
conclusionsA realistic and CT-compatible anthropomorphic head phantom was designed and successfully used for simulated augmented reality-led neurosurgical procedures. The anatomic details of the skull base and brain were realistically reproduced. This phantom can easily be manufactured and used for surgical training at a low cost.
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