3D Technology in Alicante: A Simulator for Brain Surgery

Researchers from the University of Alicante (UA) and ISABIAL have designed a 3D technology simulator to train in brain subdural hematoma surgeries. The new model replicates the anatomy of the middle meningeal artery, allowing the medical team to experiment and practice using different embolic substances to remove blood clots in the brain.

"Embolization is a surgical procedure that involves blocking blood flow in certain vessels using special substances to treat various conditions," explains Dr. José Ignacio Gallego, head of the Neuroradiology unit at the General University Hospital Doctor Balmis in Alicante and a member of BioFab. Currently, it is used for treating strokes, but it is a complex, costly, and difficult technique to learn.

These hematomas usually form when bridging veins rupture, often due to a head injury or advanced age. The accumulation of blood can cause several side effects, such as memory dysfunction, difficulty speaking and walking, and chronic headaches.

According to Dr. Gallego, "recent research has shown that embolization of the middle meningeal artery can reduce blood accumulation by up to 30%, thereby reducing the severity of the disease and providing a minimally invasive, safe, and effective alternative." However, it is a relatively new procedure, and surgeons have limited options for practice, often resorting to animal models or unrealistic simulators.

In this regard, Javier Esclapés, scientific director of BioFab and UA researcher, explains that "the uniqueness of this product is that it allows the medical team to practice with various substances, adjusting the pressure and speed needed to achieve specific results, with a real model." In fact, researchers believe there is no simulator in the biomedical engineering sector as precise as this one for the specific anatomy of the middle meningeal artery.

The simulator consists of two parts made from low-cost transparent resins and 3D printed. The first is a branched model based on the geometry of the middle meningeal artery itself. It also features interior lights as small as 0.5 millimeters that replicate real anatomical internal tortuosities. The second part is a rigid base that provides stability and protection against shocks and falls. "Thanks to the use of transparent materials, healthcare personnel can directly observe the behavior of the embolic substance," adds Esclapés.

For the prototype design, the BioFab team of engineers and doctors conducted tests in the hospital environment with the collaboration of interventional neuroradiologists to adjust the dimensions and features of the simulator.