Cyber Valley Research Group, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
Micro Nano and Molecular Systems Lab, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2021 Sep;49(9):2412-2420. doi: 10.1007/s10439-021-02793-0. Epub 2021 May 17.
Bladder cancer (BC) is the main disease in the urinary tract with a high recurrence rate and it is diagnosed by cystoscopy (CY). To train the CY procedures, a realistic bladder phantom with correct anatomy and physiological properties is highly required. Here, we report a soft bladder phantom (FlexBlad) that mimics many important features of a human bladder. Under filling, it shows a large volume expansion of more than 300% with a tunable compliance in the range of 12.2 ± 2.8 - 32.7 ± 5.4 mL cmHO by engineering the thickness of the bladder wall. By 3D printing and multi-step molding, detailed anatomical structures are represented on the inner bladder wall, including sub-millimeter blood vessels and reconfigurable bladder tumors. Endoscopic inspection and tumor biopsy were successfully performed. A multi-center study was carried out, where two groups of urologists with different experience levels executed consecutive CYs in the phantom and filled in questionnaires. The learning curves reveal that the FlexBlad has a positive effect in the endourological training across different skill levels. The statistical results validate the usability of the phantom as a valuable educational tool, and the dynamic feature expands its use as a versatile endoscopic training platform.
膀胱癌（BC）是泌尿系统的主要疾病，具有较高的复发率，通过膀胱镜检查（CY）进行诊断。为了培训 CY 程序，非常需要具有正确解剖结构和生理特性的逼真膀胱模型。在这里，我们报告了一种软膀胱模型（FlexBlad），它模拟了人类膀胱的许多重要特征。在填充过程中，它的体积可扩展超过 300%，通过工程设计膀胱壁的厚度，可以实现 12.2±2.8-32.7±5.4ml cmHO 范围内的可调顺应性。通过 3D 打印和多步成型，可以在膀胱内壁上呈现详细的解剖结构，包括亚毫米级别的血管和可重构的膀胱肿瘤。成功进行了内窥镜检查和肿瘤活检。进行了一项多中心研究，两组经验水平不同的泌尿科医生在模型中连续进行 CY，并填写了调查问卷。学习曲线表明，FlexBlad 对不同技能水平的内镜培训具有积极影响。统计结果验证了该模型作为有价值的教育工具的可用性，其动态特性扩展了其作为通用内窥镜培训平台的用途。
