Anatomic Models

Patient-Specific Silicone Aneurysm Models for Neurosurgical Training

In collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna

Silicone 3D printing enables what conventional manufacturing cannot: patient-specific, elastic, perfusable aneurysm models that closely replicate real tissue behavior. In collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna, Spectroplast produced five intracranial aneurysm models for neurosurgical simulation — with silicone wall thicknesses between 0.39 and 0.44 mm, derived directly from preoperative imaging data.

The models were validated in a peer-reviewed randomized controlled study published in Neurosurgical Focus (2024). Surgical simulation time improved by 39% across all participants.

Why silicone for anatomical models?

Silicone closely mimics the mechanical properties of human tissue — replicating the feel and function of vascular and organ structures across multiple stiffness levels. This makes it possible to simulate both healthy and diseased tissue states within the same platform. Natural translucency enables clear visual inspection and supports flow simulation applications.

Why silicone additive manufacturing for anatomical models?

• Sub-millimeter wall thickness without tooling
• True silicone elasticity and perfusability
• not resin alternatives
• Patient-specific geometry from CT and MRI data
• No minimum order quantity, one model per case

Read the peer-reviewed study → Dodier et al., Neurosurgical Focus, 2024