Skip to main content

Design and Fabrication of a Phantom Head for Robotic Neurosurgery Simulation

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
European Robotics Forum 2024 (ERF 2024)

Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Advanced Robotics ((SPAR,volume 32))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 64 Accesses

Abstract

Phantoms play a crucial role in planning and simulating surgical procedures, evaluating new medical devices, and training purposes. Current simulators, such as human cadavers, animal models, and virtual reality systems, are quite expensive and not easily accessible. This research aims to design and develop an affordable 3D replica of a child’s head for paediatric neurosurgery. The process began with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of a child’s head. Afterward, a phantom was fabricated using nylon 3D printing and incorporating agar to replicate the skull and soft tissue. Moreover, Vaseline balls simulating tumors and a silicone skin were added to the phantom, enabling realistic MRI scans for surgical navigation. The functionality of a novel paediatric neurosurgery robot was then evaluated using the phantom as a realistic representation of a child’s head. The cost-effectiveness of this approach makes it an ideal and reproducible method for surgical simulation and training objectives.

F. Mariano and C. Abello—The authors contributed equally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Müns, A., Meixensberger, J., Lindner, D.: Evaluation of a novel phantom-based neurosurgical training system. Surg. Neurol. Int. (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kamal, N.: Design and development of a robotic system for pediatric neurosurgery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, unpublished

    Google Scholar 

  3. Earle, M., De Portu, G., DeVos, E.: Agar ultrasound phantoms for low-cost training without refrigeration. Afr. J. Emerg. Med. 18–23 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Pandya, Y.H., Bakshi, M., Sharma, A.: Agar-agar extraction, structural properties and applications: a review. Pharma Innov. J. 1151–1157 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Katiyar, V., et al.: A high-fidelity agar-based phantom for ultrasonography-guided brain biopsy simulation: a novel training prototype with visual feedback. World Neurosurg. 333–343 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Anthropomorphic Phantoms Human Like Phantoms - Universal Medical. https://www.universalmedicalinc.com/all-products/diagnostic-imaging/imaging-quality-control/phantoms/anthropomorphic-phantoms.html. Accessed December 2023

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Federico Mariano .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Mariano, F. et al. (2024). Design and Fabrication of a Phantom Head for Robotic Neurosurgery Simulation. In: Secchi, C., Marconi, L. (eds) European Robotics Forum 2024. ERF 2024. Springer Proceedings in Advanced Robotics, vol 32. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-76424-0_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics