Three-Dimensional Ultrasound-Derived Physical Mitral Valve Modeling
Witschey WF, Pouch AM, McGarvey JR, Ikeuchi K, Contijoch F, Levack MM, Yushkevich PA, Sehgal CM, Jackson BM, Gorman RC, Gorman JH III
Purpose: Advances in mitral valve repair and adoption have been partly attributed to improvements in echocardiographic imaging technology. To further educate and guide repair surgery, we have developed a methodology to quickly produce physical models of the valve using novel 3D echocardiographic imaging software in combination with stereolithographic printing.
Description: Quantitative virtual mitral valve shape models were developed from 3D transesophageal echocardiographic images using software based on semi-automated image segmentation and continuous medial representation (cm-rep) algorithms. These quantitative virtual shape models were then used as input to a commercially available stereolithographic printer to generate a physical model of the each valve at end systole and end diastole.
Results: Physical models of normal and diseased valves (ischemic mitral regurgitation and myxomatous degeneration) were constructed. There was good correspondence between the virtual shape models and physical models.
Conclusions: It was feasible to create a physical model of mitral valve geometry under normal, ischemic and myxomatous valve conditions using 3D printing of 3D echocardiographic data. Printed valves have the potential to guide surgical therapy for mitral valve disease.