Mechanical replication of anatomical structures is essential to improve surgical simulation and preoperative training. Mechanically faithful 3D-printed models of the trachea may support safer practice in high-risk procedures such as tracheotomy and intubation. However, the absence of standardized protocols for the mechanical characterization of soft anatomical models in additive manufacturing still limits their routine validation. In this context, the present study proposes a preliminary experimental protocol for the mechanical quality control of soft anatomical models produced by 3D printing. Six trachea-shaped specimens were 3D-printed using Flexible 80A Resin by stereolithography and tested under static tensile loading. The elastic modulus was estimated from the stress-strain curves using a piecewise linear regression approach, enabling direct evaluation from non-standard specimens without the need for complex constitutive models. The average elastic modulus of the printed samples was 4.75 ± 0.09 MPa, in close agreement with values reported for human tracheal tissue in the literature, with a mean absolute percentage error of only 2%. These outcomes provide a first confirmation that the proposed protocol is able to evaluate the biomechanical fidelity of 3D-printed models in clinical simulation scenarios.
Cecchitelli, M., Fiori, G., Borro, L., Genovesi, A., Barletta, M., Galo, J., et al. (2025). Mechanical Properties of Paediatric Trachea-Shaped Specimens: A Preliminary Quality Assessment. In Conference Proceedings - 2025 International Workshop on Biomedical Applications, Technologies and Sensors, BATS 2025 (pp.177-181). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. [10.1109/BATS67559.2025.11336159].
Mechanical Properties of Paediatric Trachea-Shaped Specimens: A Preliminary Quality Assessment
Cecchitelli M.;Fiori G.;Genovesi A.;Barletta M.;Sciuto S. A.;Scorza A.
2025-01-01
Abstract
Mechanical replication of anatomical structures is essential to improve surgical simulation and preoperative training. Mechanically faithful 3D-printed models of the trachea may support safer practice in high-risk procedures such as tracheotomy and intubation. However, the absence of standardized protocols for the mechanical characterization of soft anatomical models in additive manufacturing still limits their routine validation. In this context, the present study proposes a preliminary experimental protocol for the mechanical quality control of soft anatomical models produced by 3D printing. Six trachea-shaped specimens were 3D-printed using Flexible 80A Resin by stereolithography and tested under static tensile loading. The elastic modulus was estimated from the stress-strain curves using a piecewise linear regression approach, enabling direct evaluation from non-standard specimens without the need for complex constitutive models. The average elastic modulus of the printed samples was 4.75 ± 0.09 MPa, in close agreement with values reported for human tracheal tissue in the literature, with a mean absolute percentage error of only 2%. These outcomes provide a first confirmation that the proposed protocol is able to evaluate the biomechanical fidelity of 3D-printed models in clinical simulation scenarios.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
