Aim: Blood vessels forming the venous system of the lower limbs, and more precisely the superficially located great saphenous vein, are of great importance for the blood flow. As a result of various conditions, varicose veins emerge, increasing the risk of thrombus formation. The detailed study of the morphology of these vessels in individuals that suffer from varicose veins is critical for evaluation of the risk for thrombus formation. The objective of this study is to complement angiographic diagnostics of varicose structures by building three-dimensional plastic model available for visual inspection. Further, fluid dynamics in varicose vessels will be tested against controls.
Materials and Methods: We propose a method for developing a three-dimensional plastic model of the venous system, which describes its volume features into great details. First, we reconstructed digitally the three-dimensional model of the vein from raw DICOM angiographic data using the Slicer 3D software. Second, the model was converted into Standard Tessellation Language (STL). Third, the STL data were used by a 3D printer to build the plastic model. As a result, we obtained a detailed and reliable model of the morphology of the great saphenous vein system.
Conclusion: We reliably isolated targeted blood vessels from an angiographic study and subjected virtual data to 3D printing. Corresponding 3D prints were used both for visual and/or tactile evaluation of complex three dimensional vessel morphology and further simulation of fluid flow in normal and varicose veins. We derived qualitative and quantitative data accounting for impaired blood flow in varicose structures in the lower limbs.
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