3D Printed Subject-Specific MRI Compatible Physiologic Simulator of Intracranial Fluid Dynamics

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is a clear water-like fluid that bathes the brain and the spinal cord and also resides in a series of complex interconnected spaces within the brain called ventricles and cisterns. Understanding the CSF system is crucial for diagnostic of neurological diseases. Our aim is to create an in vitro model of the CSF system. A physical model of the spine and a CSF flow pump is currently being created but a physical model of the intracranial system is still needed to complete the system. A 3D model of the cortical subarachnoid space, ventricles and cisterns of the brain is being created using high-resolution T2-weighted MR images. The 3D model is segmented using ITK-SNAP software and will be exported as standard tessellation language (TSL) files. The model will then be smoothed and split into pieces using the software Blender. Watertight connections will be added to the design for assembly of the full system. The segmented model will then be printed using Stereolithography (SLA) 3-D printing to create a high resolution physical model of the intracranial system