CT and MRI-visible canine brain avatar via three-dimensional digital anatomy printing in aiding neurosurgical training and biopsy planning – proof of concept study

Background. Advancements in 3D printing technology have propelled its utility in human and veterinary medicine for teaching, surgical planning, and procedural practice. Complex clinical workflows and a lack of realistic training models have prevented widespread clinical implementation of intracranial interventions in veterinary medicine. Currently, many phantoms produced for medical settings are limited in their anatomical representations or compatible imaging modalities. Computer-aided design bridges the gap between a patient’s imaging data, segmenting individual regions of interest, and selecting materials to produce the same imaging features. Digital Anatomy printer with polyjet systems allows for the use of multiple materials to accomplish these designs and produce a usable patient-specific physical avatar that behaves like the original patient. Purpose. This study provides a ready-to-use guideline and workflow system of utilizing the Digital Anatomy printer to develop a physical canine brain avatar based on a specific patient’s imaging data that accurately depicts patient anatomy in CT and MRI scans, which can ultimately be used for next-generation procedural planning and practice. Methods. MRI and CT data from a specific patient with a brain tumor were initially utilized to generate a computer-aided design for an avatar to mimic the original anatomy. Tissues of interest were segmented, and printing materials were selected to mimic the desired imaging properties. Avatars were produced using a 3D polyjet system and underwent CT and MRI scans for evaluation. Avatar material intensity/Hounsfield Units, dimensions, and selected biopsy track were directly compared to the patient data for similarity. Results. Our avatars showed the desired signal in both CT and MRI, with similar proportional material and tissue intensities across the imaging spectrum and minimal dimensional variation between the avatars and the patient. Conclusion. This study established guidelines for canine brain avatar manufacture with DAP and validated the workflow of converting patient-specific clinical imaging to a 3D printed avatar that is anatomically accurate and visible in CT and MRI, producing a unique model for clinicians.