 |
The advantages of using additive fabrication technology for medical
applications have long been evident. To date, the number of machines
sold for the development of medical devices or medical modeling has been
limited. However, new innovations are rapidly impacting the acceptance
and usability of 3D printing in the medical market.
Rapid prototyping (RP), now more commonly referred to as 3D printing or
layer-based additive fabrication, is in its third decade of commercial
technological development. Since its introduction, there have been a
number of significant changes, including improvements in accuracy and
material strength, increases in the range of applications, and
reductions in the cost of machines and parts.
One of the most important innovations is the introduction of
droplet-based deposition which takes advantage of the expertise
generated from the development of ink-jet technology and applies it to
different substrates and materials in RP processes. The droplets are
extremely small in volume, which allows for the high precision needed
for fine detail and in the surface finish of RP parts. In addition, the
base material is strong enough for the fine detail to support its own
mass.
To learn more about RP, bio-medical models, 3-D modeling, and facial
reconstruction solutions, take a look at the articles presented here. We
know you'll find them both fascinating and informative.
|
Various rapid prototyping methods are today used in medical
applications, in industries ranging from orthodontics and surgical
planning to hearing aid production and medical devices. RP medical
models have prompted applications for planning treatment for complex
surgical procedures, for simulating surgery, and for diagnosis and
training. RP models are also used in the design and manufacturing of
implants and medical tools.
Perhaps the most obvious medical application for rapid prototyping
solutions is as a means to design and develop medical devices and
instrumentation. This is simply a consequence of the engineering
applications of the technology. Any field where it is imperative to
decrease product development time while simultaneously providing RP
users with functional performance feedback is an excellent prospect for
rapid prototyping. It follows that since human lives depend on the
quality and ease of use of numerous medical products there is extra
incentive to use additive technologies in their development. Examples of
medical instruments designed using rapid prototyping technology include
retractors, scalpels, surgical fasteners, display systems and many other
devices.
After years of development, rapid prototyping technologies are now being
applied for manufacturing dimensionally accurate human anatomy models
from high resolution medical image data. Thus, rapid prototyping and
reverse engineering combine to form a valuable resource for modeling
patient data. In complex medical cases, it is common to use CT and MRI
to create 3-D images of data used in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Advanced Manufacturing Technology for Medical Applications covers a
range of applications where advanced manufacturing technology can be
applied to medical procedures. Thus, patient data is converted into a
STL format to allow users to benefit from 3-D printing solutions to
medical problems.
Rapid Prototyping Solutions for Medical Applications using
PolyJet™ and PolyJet Matrix™ technologies describes the
state of the art in advanced medical applications evolution and is an
excellent indication of how this exciting field will develop in the near
future.
Full Article
|
|
Connex500™ - The Only
Multi-Material 3D Printing System
 The
Connex500™ is the only 3D printing system that offers the
completely unique ability to print bio-medical models made of multiple
model materials, with different mechanical or physical properties, all
in a single build. Taking the revolution even further, the
Connex500™ can also fabricate Digital Materials™ on the fly,
enabling users to create composite materials that allow for different
physical and mechanical properties for prototyping a range of medical
applications including medical devices.
|
|
The Connex500™ is the 3-D printing system that offers a
completely unique ability to print bio-medical models made of multiple
model materials, with different mechanical or physical properties, all
in a single build. Based on breakthrough PolyJet Matrix™
Technology, the Connex500 simultaneously prints two FullCure model
materials. The medical model showing a brain inside a printed head was
printed using the VeroWhite (inner brain part) and FullCure720 (outer
skin part).
The data for the model was obtained by CT continuous volumetric scanning
and was then transferred to 3-dimensional surface reconstruction by
relevant design software and the images were saved as an STL file. Thus
the geometric model was constructed according to the image data. A 3-D
model like this can be useful in demonstrating impact biomechanics; head
injury and experimental brain damage from fluid pressures due to impact
acceleration.
Full Article
|
Cranioplasty for a skull bone defect can be a challenging surgical
operation. With the Advantages of using rapid prototyping in making
custom cranial models for the repair of cranial defects, the
PolyJet™ technology can be used for the production of anatomical
models and templates, which facilitate surgeons to optimize preoperative
surgical planning, interactive surgical simulation, while reducing
operative time and complications.
The data for skull modeling was obtained from a routine preoperative CT
scan. The patient was not required to attend an outpatient clinic for
impression making and there was a potential for reducing theatre time.
The frontotemporal craniectomy defect in a head injury victim was closed
with a prosthesis made up of a biocompatible substance polymethyl metha
acrylate.
This prosthesis was a replica of the custom template produced by
PolyJet™ printed model, using the data of 3-D-CT scan images.
Modeling for this type of application relies heavily on the ability to
create a prototype that is highly accurate with smooth surfaces that can
only be done with PolyJet technology. Some of the classical fields for
medical applications of PolyJet™ technology models are surgical
planning and simulation, surgical rehearsal, training of student
surgeons and radiologists, communication between medical staff and
patients, and design of individual implant and prostheses.
Full Article
|
|
Today's desktop 3D Printer can produce
high-quality prototypes
 View this video
on the Alaris30 Desktop 3D Printer and see how it enables designers to
print high-quality prototypes with smooth surfaces, complex geometries,
small moving elements, fine details, and stand-out text to create the
true-to-life parts you need when prototyping your designs.
|
|
Rapid prototyping technology has shown significant benefit in facial
reconstruction,
cranio synostosis, skull and facial tumor surgery, orthodontic surgery,
deformities of long bone joints and knee surgery, pelvic fractures, hip
damages, spinal trauma, congenital and degenerative spinal diseases and
foot/hand malformations.
The most exciting case in which PolyJet™ technology was used in
the recent past was in planning the successful metal plate and facial
reconstruction during a facial tumor surgery as documented by Dr. Jawad
Abu-Tair, Hadassah Hospital, Dr. Adir Cohen, Hadassah Hospital and Avi
Cohen
A 27-year-old man suffering from left mandibular plexiform
ameloblastoma, approximately 5.3×4.3 cm in size, extending from the
distal root of tooth no. 36 up to the sigmoid notch. An 8 cm resection
was planned with bone plate reconstruction in the first stage, and
reconstruction with iliac crest bone graft in the second stage. CT
imaging was performed on a 64-slice CT scanner and data was converted to
an STL format. A PolyJet™ model was printed in order to
prefabricate the titanium plate in a short operating time.
In a secondary reconstruction operating, a bone graft configuration was
made using another PolyJet™ model and according to template, then
positioned properly for planned dental implants.
Finally, shape was completed in order to create a final contour and bone
volume for facial esthetics and subsequent implant insertion.
Full Article
|
With Objet, Ivivi Technologies rapidly, accurately and
cost-effectively engineers, develops and manufactures medical devices
for a wide range of different medical applications. Learn more about
how this organization has adopted 3D printing technology and cut five to
six weeks out of their design process.
Full Article
|
|
|
Thank you for reading the Medical Edge newsletter from Medical
Design.
This email was sent to #email#. You've received this e-newsletter for
one of two reasons:
1) You signed up for it on one of our web sites.
2) You are a reader of Medical Design magazine.
Manage Your Subscription
To quickly unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here Unsubscribe
To subscribe to this newsletter, visit our
subscription page.
To CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, visit our subscription page,
login with your old email address, then change your address.
Contact Information
Editorial questions:
Joe Jancsurak
216-931-9822
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Medical Design
1300 E. 9th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
©2009 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
|
|
