A framework for patient-specific spinal intervention simulation: Application to lumbar spinal durotomy repair
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Journal
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume
220
First Page
185
Last Page
192
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.3233/978-1-61499-625-5-185
Abstract
© 2016 The authors and IOS Press. All rights reserved. We present a functional and patient-specific lumbar phantom for the training of spinal durotomy and dura closure under microscopic view, consisting of a lumbar model, pressurized dural surrogate, together immersed in a tissue-mimicking layer simulating fat, muscle and skin. The lumbar model was derived from a patient computed tomography scan, preserving the natural shape and curvature of the lumbar column. The inclusion of the simulated soft-tissue layer was critical for preserving the surgical ergonomics and presented a realistic view under the surgical microscope. As the success of dura repair is indicated by the watertight closure of the thecal sac, the dura surrogate was connected to a pressurized and closed-loop water system to provide functional cere-brospinal fluid leakage during durotomy. This functional phantom is inexpensive to construct, provides a realistic tactile and visual environment for spinal durotomy repair, and can be easily extended to simulate other patient-specific spinal interventions.
