3D-Printed Biomaterial Testing in Response to Cryoablation: Implications for Surgical Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation

Abstract

Background: The lack of thermally and mechanically performant biomaterials represents the major limit for 3D-printed surgical guides, aimed at facilitating complex surgery and ablations. Methods: Cryosurgery is a treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. It consists of obtaining cryolesions, by freezing the target tissue, resulting in selective and irreversible damage. MED625FLX and TPU95A are two biocompatible materials for surgical guides; however, there are no data on their response to cryoenergy delivery. The study purpose is to evaluate the biomaterials’ thermal properties, examining the temperature changes on the porcine muscle samples (PMS) when the biomaterials are in place during the cryoablation. Two biomaterials were selected, MED625FLX and TPU95A, with two thicknesses (1.0 and 2.5 mm). To analyze the biomaterials’ behavior, the PMS temperatures were measured during cryoablation, firstly without biomaterials (control) and after with the biomaterials in place. To verify the biomaterials’ suitability, the temperatures under the biomaterial samples should not exceed a limit of −30.0 °C. Furthermore, the biomaterials’ geometry after cryoablation was evaluated using the grid paper test. Results: TPU95A (1.0 and 2.5 mm) successfully passed all tests, making this material suitable for cryoablation treatment. MED625FLX of 1.0 mm did not retain its shape, losing its function according to the grid paper test. Further, MED625FLX of 2.5 mm is also suitable for use with a cryoenergy source. Conclusions: TPU95A (1.0 and 2.5 mm) and MED625FLX of 2.5 mm could be used in the design of surgical guides for cryoablation treatment, because of their mechanical, geometrical, and thermal properties. The positive results from the thermal tests on these materials and their thickness prompt further clinical investigation.

Advancing Surgical Arrhythmia Ablation: Novel Insights on 3D Printing Applications and Two Biocompatible Materials

“…By leveraging printed models generated from integrated imaging and mapping data, we can effecti improve the efficacy and safety of surgical arrhythmia procedures. However, the lac prior research leaves uncertainty regarding the selection of 3DP materials for these points, as no other research groups have provided data on their safety and suitab Building upon our previous investigations into material testing [14,15], we explored ous designs in our printing process to evaluate their responses to sterilization procedu Furthermore, we conducted additional microscopic assessments and temperature a yses to deepen our understanding of the safety profile of MED625FLX and TPU95A 3DP guide prototyping in arrhythmia ablation.…”

“…The ablation experiment was conducted in a wet-lab setup [4,15]. The aim was to verify the intra-procedural safety of both materials by assessing their energy propagation behavior and, hence, whether ablation energy would extend underneath the 3DP material.…”

“…The ablation experiment was conducted in a wet-lab setup [4,15]. The aim verify the intra-procedural safety of both materials by assessing their energy pro behavior and, hence, whether ablation energy would extend underneath the 3DP m Furthermore, following the experiments, the underlying tissue was exam investigate the potential release of 3DP material particles.…”