J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2001 Apr;36(2):161-166.

A Patient-Specific Surgical Simulation System for Spinal Screw Insertion Composed of Virtual Roentgenogram, Virtual C-Arm, and Rapid Prototyping

• Yeom JS
• Choy WS
• Kim WJ
• Kim HY
• Kang JW
• Kim Y
• Kim N
• Lee JB

Abstract

PURPOSE: This research aims at developing a PC-based spinal screw insertion simulation program and rapid prototyping spine models for correct placement of spinal screws.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We developed a surgical simulator on top of a 3-D medical imaging system V-worksTM (Cybermed, Inc.) and used Z-402 (Z Corporation) models made of hardened starch.
RESULTS
The first phase is training surgeons using the simulation software. The trainees could simulate the insertion of spinal screws using the PC-based software. The second phase is a planning software to determine the ideal entry point and insertion angle using the multiplanar reconstruction images of spine CT. Finally, a rapid prototyping model of which the size is identical to the actual bone is produced for simulation surgery prior to the actual one.
CONCLUSION
The system provides a tool for educating and training the beginners of spinal screw insertion, and also a pre-surgical simulation environment for planning the actual insertion surgery.

Keyword

Spine; Vertebra; Screw; Simulation; Rapid prototype

MeSH Terms

Diagnostic Imaging
Spine
Starch
Starch