Circle of Willis/Arteries of the Brain

This is a model of the arteries of the brain. The central ring connects the major cerebral arteries and is named the Circle of Willis (CoW). Detailed knowledge of the cerebral arterial system is necessary for the practice of vascular neurology (i.e. neurologists and interventional neuroradiologists who treat strokes).

The arteries are anatomically accurate with the following exception: the vessels have been thickened to various degrees (primarily the perforating vessels, e.g. pontine perforating and lenticulostriate arteries) to allow for better visualization and more reliable printing. The brainstem stand is also anatomically accurate. The arteries on this model include internal carotid, middle cerebral (MCA), anterior cerebral (ACA), posterior cerebral (PCA), vertebral, basilar, ophthalmic, medial lenticulostriate, lateral lenticulostriate, anterior choroidal, anterior spinal, posterior inferior cerebellar (PICA), anterior inferior cerebellar (AICA), superior cerebellar (SCA), and pontine perforating.

The files include a normal set of cerebral arteries and a set with an aneurysm of the posterior communicating (Pcomm) artery. The normal arteries are meant to pair with the standard brainstem stand. The arteries with the Pcomm aneurysm are meant to pair with the brainstem stand including cranial nerve three in order to demonstrate the aneurysmal compression (dysfunction of cranial nerve three is a classic clinical indicator of Pcomm aneurysm).

The artery models are meant to be printed with a multi-tool printer such as the Prusa XL. I recommend printing the arteries in TPU 95A (either Ninjaflex Cheeta or Bambulab TPU HF) and using PLA supports, as follows:

Layer height: 0.25

Perimeters: 3

Infill: 80% grid (for 2x scale) or 40% grid (for 3x scale)

Supports: organic with overhang threshold=40

Support material and interface material = PLA; adjust settings to mimic soluble support (0 contact Z distance)

The brainstem model with cranial nerve three is also intended for print with a multi-tool printer; the base and brainstem can be printed in PLA or PETG and the nerves should be printed in TPU 95A. The brainstem model without cranial nerve three can be printed in PLA or PETG with a color-changing MMU/AMS or via manual filament change.

Brainstem with CN 3: I use paint-on supports and I paint the entire underside of the nerves; I use organic PLA supports with settings to mimic soluble support (0 contact Z distance)

Standard brainstem: detachable organic supports with threshold=7

TPU tends to produce stringing. A heat gun or blow dryer will work pretty well to clean up the strings. Alternatively, you can try adjusting the settings.

Don't have a multi-material printer available? Purchase the model here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1678675586/brain-arteriescircle-of-willis-3d-model 

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