Simulation operation in the 3D printed ASD models
Five 3D printed ASD models were selected for the simulation exercises, of which four models were one-hole ASD, one was double-hole ASD. The occlusion device utilized in this study was ASO, which is a self-expandable, double-disc, occlusion device made of nitinol mesh, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2001 for percutaneous closure of secundum ASD14. Based on the soft ASD 3D models, the desired occluder was determined, the appropriate occluder applied in vitro trial occlusion was defined as the smallest one that occluded the ASD completely,kept stable and not oppressed in push–pull test. Obtain the patients’ occluder size actually applied during the ASD occlusion by querying the clinical medical record system retrospectively. Evaluate the effect of simulation operations and assess whether the size of the optimized occluder required in the simulation exercise is consistent with the one actually applied during the ASD occlusion.