3D-printing technology in creation of a needle guide for a convex ultrasound probe

Introduction. Percutaneous surgery is one of the methods of surgical treatment of renal stones. The most difficult stage of the operation is the creation of percutaneous access to the pyelocaliceal system of the kidney. To facilitate access under ultrasound (US) guidance, it is customary to use a needle guide which is fixed to the US-probe. Taking into account the sanctions of the equipment manufacturing countries, Russian specialists may potentially find themselves in conditions of a shortage of components and particularly needle guide for ultrasound probes. In this regard, it was decided to develop the possibility of printing a needle guide for an ultrasound probe using 3D-printing technology. Materials and methods. Using a handheld 3D laser scanner, a metal needle guide for the convex ultrasound probe was scanned, the necessary changes were made for use, and a plastic needle guide was created using 3D printing. Results. The needle, when passed into the grooves with preset angles of the printed needle guide, exactly matches the dotted aim on the monitor of the ultrasound machine, similar to the original probe. Conclusion. The use of 3D-printing in the absence of certain components, in particular, a needle guide for an ultrasound probe, allows to quickly obtain a working sample that is not inferior to the original one.