A novel ‘surgeon-dominated’ approach to the design of 3D-printed patient-specific surgical plates in mandibular reconstruction: a proof-of-concept study

This was a proof-of-concept computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study designed to identify atherosclerotic changes in intracranial aneurysms. We selected 3 patients with multiple unruptured aneurysms including at least one with atherosclerotic changes and investigated whether an image-based CFD study could provide useful information for discriminating the atherosclerotic aneurysms. Patient-specific geometries were constructed from three-dimensional data obtained using rotational angiography. Transient simulations were conducted under patient-specific inlet flow rates measured by phase-contrast magnetic resonance velocimetry. In the postanalyses, we calculated time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index, and relative residence time (RRT). The volume of blood flow entering aneurysms through the neck and the mean velocity of blood flow inside aneurysms were examined. We applied the age-of-fluid method to quantitatively assess the residence of blood inside aneurysms. Atherosclerotic changes coincided with regions exposed to disturbed blood flow, as indicated by low WSS and long RRT. Blood entered aneurysms in phase with inlet flow rates. The mean velocities of blood inside atherosclerotic aneurysms were lower than those inside nonatherosclerotic aneurysms. Blood in atherosclerotic aneurysms was older than that in nonatherosclerotic aneurysms, especially near the wall. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated that CFD analysis provided detailed information on the exchange and residence of blood that is useful for the diagnosis of atherosclerotic changes in intracranial aneurysms.

Download Full-text

The Development of a Glucose Dehydrogenase 3D-Printed Glucose Sensor: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology ◽

10.1177/1932296817715272 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 176-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Anngela Adams ◽

Aldin Malkoc ◽

Jeffrey T. La Belle

Keyword(s):

Glucose Sensor ◽

Glucose Dehydrogenase ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Concept Study ◽

3D Printed

Download Full-text

Computationally Designed 3D Printed Self-Expandable Polymer Stents with Biodegradation Capacity for Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Implantation: A Proof-of-Concept Study

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing ◽

10.1089/3dp.2016.0052 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 19-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

María Sol Cabrera ◽

Bart Sanders ◽

Olga J.G.M. Goor ◽

Anita Driessen-Mol ◽

Cees W.J Oomens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Heart Valve ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Concept Study ◽

3D Printed ◽

Valve Implantation

Download Full-text

Cryogel scaffolds from patient-specific 3D-printed molds for personalized tissue-engineered bone regeneration in pediatric cleft-craniofacial defects

Journal of Biomaterials Applications ◽

10.1177/0885328217734824 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 598-611 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Katherine R Hixon ◽

Alexa M Melvin ◽

Alexander Y Lin ◽

Andrew F Hall ◽

Scott A Sell

Keyword(s):

Bone Regeneration ◽

Bone Defects ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Site Specific ◽

Alveolar Cleft ◽

Mechanical Durability ◽

Specific Geometry ◽

3D Printed ◽

Craniofacial Defects

Bone defects are extremely common in children with cleft-craniofacial conditions, especially those with alveolar cleft defects and cranial defects. This study used patient-specific 3D-printed molds derived from computed tomography and cryogel scaffold fabrication as a proof of concept for the creation of site-specific implants for bone reconstruction. Cryogel scaffolds are unique tissue-engineered constructs formed at sub-zero temperatures. When thawed, the resulting structure is macroporous, sponge-like, and mechanically durable. Due to these unique properties, cryogels have excellent potential for the treatment of patient-specific bone defects; however, there is little literature on their use in cleft-craniofacial defects. While 3D-printing technology currently lacks the spatial resolution to print the microstructure necessary for bone regeneration, it can be used to create site-specific molds. Thus, it is ideal to integrate these techniques for the fabrication of scaffolds with patient-specific geometry. Overall, all cryogels possessed appropriate geometry to allow for cell infiltration after 28 days. Additionally, suitable mechanical durability was demonstrated where, despite mold geometry, all cryogels could be compressed without exhibiting crack propagation. Such a patient-specific scaffold would be ideal in pediatric cleft-craniofacial defects, as these are complex 3D defects and children have less donor bone availability.

Download Full-text