Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Patient-Specific Direct 3D-Printed Aortic Valve for Simulation Trainings: A Comparative Study

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of 3-dimensional (3D)-printed patient-specific aortic models for surgical simulation. The objective was to analyze the effects of postcuring time and color pigments on material stiffness, flexibility, toughness, and durability and to identify the most suitable material and processing conditions to enhance the biomechanical realism of 3D-printed aortae.Methods: Direct 3D printing was used to fabricate patient-specific aortic models. Samples were prepared with different postcuring times (5, 10, 15, and 20 min) and with or without color pigments (pink and orange). Uniaxial tensile testing was conducted to analyze the mechanical properties, including tensile strength, stiffness, flexibility, and strain at failure, using stress-strain curves.Results: Uncolored samples with a postcuring time of 15 min demonstrated the best mechanical properties for simulation training, offering a balance between flexibility, stiffness, and toughness. Colored samples exhibited lower tensile strength, reduced toughness, and increased stiffness as compared with uncolored samples.Conclusions: Material selection and postprocessing play a crucial role in the biomechanical accuracy of 3D-printed patient-specific aortic models. Uncolored samples with a 15 min postcuring time are optimal for surgical simulation. Future research should focus on refining postprocessing techniques and directly comparing 3D-printed models with human aortic tissue to improve realism and validation.