Local 3-Dimensional Printing of a Calvarium-Anchored Ventricular Catheter Occlusion Device

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed objects have been incorporated into many surgical specialties for various purposes. These devices can be customized and used as implants or surgical instruments. This study describes the use of a 3D-printed device that eliminates the need for a surgical assistant to occlude and retain the intracranial catheter during ventriculoperitoneal shunt creation and revision. After we identified design considerations and solutions, we modeled the device dimensions using computer-aided design software. Prototypes were 3D printed using stereolithography. Iterative design improvements were tested on cadaveric cranial samples. A final design was established, prepared by the in-hospital sterile processing department, and deployed successfully for clinical use. The design process for 3D-printed surgical instruments can produce straightforward idea-to-prototype pipelines. Because 3D-printed devices are easily duplicated and modified, small adjustments and new models can be developed, printed, and tested in a short time span.