Rapid vessel prototyping:: vascular modeling using 3t magnetic resonance angiography and rapid prototyping technology

Object: Conversion of thoracic aortic vasculature as measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging into a real physical replica. Materials and methods: Several procedural steps including data acquisition with contrast enhanced MR Angiography at 3T, data visualization and 3D computer model generation, as well as rapid prototyping were used to construct an in-vitro model of the vessel geometry Results: A rapid vessel prototyping process was implemented and used to convert complex vascular geometry of the entire thoracic aorta and major branching arteries into a real physical replica with large anatomical coverage and high spatial resolution. Conclusion: Rapid vessel prototyping permits the creation of a concrete solid replica of a patient's vascular anatomy.