Summary
In the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, whether the microcatheter can be shaped into a suitable shape often determines whether the aneurysm can be successfully superselected, so microcatheter shaping is crucial. This article describes six microcatheter shaping methods.
1. 3D printing technology assists microcatheter shaping treatment of aneurysms
The patient's aneurysm model is obtained through DSA technology, and then the data in STL format is obtained through related software processing, and then connected to a 3D printer for model printing.
2. Microcatheter shaping method for anterior cerebral artery aneurysm
The microcatheter is shaped into S, Z, U and other shapes, and different microcatheters are used in different locations of the anterior cerebral artery.
3. Shaping with microcatheter outside the shaping needle
Wrap the mandrel spirally around the shaping needle, insert the microcatheter into the gap formed by the spiral of the mandrel, bend the spiral mandrel to an angle of 135 degrees, place it at 130 degrees and steam shape it for 30 seconds to obtain a shape with an angle of 90 degrees after shaping, and keep it stable.
4. Virtual reality technology assisted microcatheter shaping
The four-dimensional image of the tumor-bearing artery was reconstructed using virtual reality technology, and the microcatheter shaping was assisted according to the standard model simulated by virtual reality at a ratio of 1:1.
5. Microcatheter conformation shaping method
The shaping angle of the microcatheter tip is determined by analyzing the distance from the center of the aneurysm to the wall of the parent artery, and the data of the dissection between the aneurysm and the parent artery. The shaping angle of the second bend is determined by analyzing the distance between the aneurysm and the siphon segment of the internal carotid artery. If the blood vessel is twisted between the two bends, further shaping can be performed.
6. Microcatheter intravascular looping technique
The tip of the microcatheter is pre-shaped to form 1 to 2 loops in vivo or in vitro, and the tip of the microcatheter is guided through the aneurysm neck to the distal branch vessel using a guidewire. The microcatheter is straightened and withdrawn, so that the microcatheter successfully superselects the aneurysm.
In addition, it should be noted that the plasticity and shape retention ability of microcatheters of different models are also different, which has an important impact on the surgeon's pre-shaping of the microcatheter, especially when the microcatheter is molded into a three-dimensional curved shape, different models of microcatheters need to be pre-shaped into different angles.
In summary, at present, we do not only rely on experience for microcatheter shaping, but can also use 3D printed aneurysm models to assist in shaping the microcatheter, and even use microcatheters of different shapes for aneurysms in different locations and different relationships between aneurysm domes and parent arteries. After continuous research by scholars, the above microcatheter shaping methods are all highly safe and effective.