Development of a CT-compatible anthropomorphic skull phantom for surgical planning, training, and simulation
Marco Lai (Eindhoven University of Technology, Philips Research)
Simon Skyrman (Karolinska University Hospital)
Flip Kor (Student TU Delft)
Robert Homan (Philips Research)
Drazenko Babic (Philips Research)
Erik Edström (Karolinska University Hospital)
Oscar Persson (Karolinska University Hospital)
Gustav Burström (Karolinska University Hospital)
Adrian Elmi-Terander (Karolinska University Hospital)
Benno H.W. Hendriks (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering, Philips Research)
Peter H.N. De With (Eindhoven University of Technology)
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Abstract
Neurosurgical training is performed on human cadavers and simulation models, such as VR platforms, which have several drawbacks. Head phantoms could solve most of the issues related to these trainings. The aim of this study was to design a realistic and CT-compatible head phantom, with a specific focus on endo-nasal skull-base surgery and brain biopsy. A head phantom was created by segmenting an image dataset from a cadaver. The skull, which includes a complete structure of the nasal cavity and detailed skull-base anatomy, is 3D printed using PLA with calcium, while the brain is produced using a PVA mixture. The radiodensity and mechanical properties of the phantom were tested and adjusted in material choice to mimic real-life conditions. Surgeons find the skull, the structures at the skull-base and the brain realistically reproduced. The head phantom can be employed for neurosurgical education, training and surgical planning, and can be successfully used for simulating surgeries.