Dynamic three-dimensional printing: The future of bronchoscopic simulation training?

Abstract

High-fidelity models are required for technical mastery of bronchoscopic procedures in the fields of anaesthesia, intensive care, surgery and respiratory medicine. Our group has created a three-dimensional (3D) airway model prototype to emulate physiological and pathological movement. Developed from the concepts of our previously described 3D printed paediatric trachea for airway management training, this model produces movements created by injection of air or saline through a side Luer Lock port. The anaesthesia and intensive care applications of the model could include bronchoscopic navigation through narrow pathologies and simulated bleeding tumours. It also has the potential to be used to practice placement of a double-lumen tube and broncho-alveolar lavage among other procedures. For surgical training, the model has high tissue realism and allows for rigid bronchoscopy. The novel and high-fidelity 3D printed airway model with dynamic pathologies represents capability to provide both generic and patient-specific advancement for all modes of anatomical representation. The prototype illustrates the potential of combining the fields of industrial design with clinical anaesthesia.