Creating Patient-Specific Silicone 3D Models of the Aorta for TAVR Failure Mode Characterization

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) images of four patients from Essentia Health in Duluth, MN were used to develop patient-specific aortic segments of the heart for benchtop failure characterization testing of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Materialise Mimics medical imaging software was used to segment the aortic root from CT images of the patients’ hearts. 3D models of the patients’ aortic roots were generated, and expendable molds of the models were 3D printed using an Ultimaker S5 fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer. The expendable molds were printed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and injected with Smooth-On Dragon Skin 20 platinum cured silicone. The PVA mold was then dissolved in circulated 75℃ water exposing the patient-specific silicone aortic root model. This process for 3D printing expendable mold patterns of patient-specific aortic roots can be utilized in the medical device industry for TAVR failure mode benchtop testing and will serve to predict patient outcomes more accurately for patients who are being considered for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.