Case Study: AIIMS Delhi achieves high-fidelity neurosurgical training with Stratasys 3D printing

Realistic Simulators for Craniotomy and Neuro-Endoscopy

AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi) faced the challenge of providing realistic, hands‑on neurosurgical training without the ethical, cost and availability issues of cadaver or animal labs. To address limitations of early synthetic models in mimicking human tissue feel and haptic response, AIIMS integrated Stratasys 3D printing technology—including Stratasys FDM, Objet350 Connex3 and the J750 Digital Anatomy™ PolyJet printer—into a dedicated Neuro‑Anatomy lab for high‑fidelity surgical simulation.

Using Stratasys printers, materials (BoneMatrix™, TissueMatrix™, Agilus30™) and GrabCAD Digital Anatomy presets, AIIMS developed a craniotomy simulator and a Neuro‑Endo Trainer that replicate bone and soft‑tissue biomechanics and allow patient‑specific models. Stratasys’ solutions produced clinically validated realism in feel and performance; trainees validated the simulators, reporting improved pre‑operative planning, drilling skills and safe, repeatable practice with no risk to patients—demonstrating tangible educational impact from Stratasys technology.

AIIMS

Ashish Suri

Professor and Unit Head, Department of Neurosurgery & Chief Investigator, Neuro-engineering Lab