SU-G-BRB-01: A Novel 3D Printed Patient-Specific Phantom for Spine SBRT Quality Assurance: Comparison of 3D Printing Techniques

Medical and many other applications require small-volume setups enabling terahertz imaging. Therefore, we aim to develop a device for the in-reflection examination of the samples. Thus, in this article, we focus on the diffractive elements for efficient redirection and focusing of the THz radiation. A terahertz diffractive optical structure has been designed, optimized, manufactured (using extrusion-based 3D printing) and tested. Two manufacturing methods have been used—direct printing of the structures from PA12, and casting of the paraffin structures out of 3D-printed molds. Also, the limitations of the off-axis focusing have been discussed. To increase the efficiency, an iterative algorithm has been proposed that optimizes off-axis structures to focus the radiation into small focal spots located far from the optical axis, at an angle of more than 30 degrees. Moreover, the application of higher-order kinoform structure design allowed the maintaining of the smallest details of the manufactured optical element, using 3D printing techniques.

Download Full-text

Accessing 3D Printed Vascular Phantoms for Procedural Simulation

Frontiers in Surgery ◽

10.3389/fsurg.2020.626212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Jasamine Coles-Black ◽

Damien Bolton ◽

Jason Chuen

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Endovascular Procedures ◽

Low Cost ◽

3D Models ◽

Routine Care ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Ct Angiogram ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

3D Printed

Introduction: 3D printed patient-specific vascular phantoms provide superior anatomical insights for simulating complex endovascular procedures. Currently, lack of exposure to the technology poses a barrier for adoption. We offer an accessible, low-cost guide to producing vascular anatomical models using routine CT angiography, open source software packages and a variety of 3D printing technologies.Methods: Although applicable to all vascular territories, we illustrate our methodology using Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) due to the strong interest in this area. CT aortograms acquired as part of routine care were converted to representative patient-specific 3D models, and then printed using a variety of 3D printing technologies to assess their material suitability as aortic phantoms. Depending on the technology, phantoms cost $20–$1,000 and were produced in 12–48 h. This technique was used to generate hollow 3D printed thoracoabdominal aortas visible under fluoroscopy.Results: 3D printed AAA phantoms were a valuable addition to standard CT angiogram reconstructions in the simulation of complex cases, such as short or very angulated necks, or for positioning fenestrations in juxtarenal aneurysms. Hollow flexible models were particularly useful for device selection and in planning of fenestrated EVAR. In addition, these models have demonstrated utility other settings, such as patient education and engagement, and trainee and anatomical education. Further study is required to establish a material with optimal cost, haptic and fluoroscopic fidelity.Conclusion: We share our experiences and methodology for developing inexpensive 3D printed vascular phantoms which despite material limitations, successfully mimic the procedural challenges encountered during live endovascular surgery. As the technology continues to improve, 3D printed vascular phantoms have the potential to disrupt how endovascular procedures are planned and taught.

Download Full-text

Development of 3D Printed Symbrachydactyly Prosthetic Hand

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology - Regular Issue ◽

10.35940/ijeat.a3032.109119 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 5943-5947

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Minimum Cost ◽

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽

Design Stage ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Prosthetic Hand ◽

Simple Task ◽

3D Printed ◽

Electrical Component ◽

Hand Geometry

Symbrachydactyly is a genetical problem occurred to newborn where the newborn experienced underdeveloped or shorten fingers. This condition will limit their normal as even a simple task of holding an item or pushing a button. A device is needed to help them gain a better life. The aim of this project is to fabricate a customized prosthesis hand using 3D printing technology at minimum cost. The proposed prosthetic was not embedded with any electrical component. The patient can only use the wrist to control the prosthetic part which is the prosthetic fingers. The prosthetic hand was also being developed with the patient specific features, which the initial design stage was adapted from a person’s hand geometry using a 3D scanner. Next the model of the prosthesis was analyzed computationally to predict the performance of the product. Different material properties are considered in the analysis to present Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) materials. Then, the prosthesis was fabricated using the 3D printing. The results suggested that PLA material indicated better findings and further be fabricated.

Download Full-text

Approaches of combining a 3D-printed elastic structure and a hydrogel to create models for plant-inspired actuators

MRS Advances ◽

10.1557/s43580-021-00081-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nadia Rodriguez ◽

Anil K. Bastola ◽

Marc Behl ◽

Patricia Soffiatti ◽

Nick P. Rowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Active Component ◽

Preliminary Investigation ◽

Polymeric Materials ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Passive Component ◽

Material System ◽

3D Printed ◽

Printing Techniques

Abstract Inspired by the interesting functional traits of a climbing cactus, Selenicereus setaceus, found in the forest formations of Southeastern Brazil, we formulated a hypothesis that we can directly learn from the plants to develop multi-functional artificial systems by means of a multi-disciplinary approach. In this context, our approach is to take advantage of 3D-printing techniques and shape-memory hydrogels synergistically to mimic the functional traits of the cactus. This work reports on the preliminary investigation of cactus-inspired artificial systems. First, we 3D-printed soft polymeric materials and characterized them, which defines the structure and is a passive component of a multi-material system. Second, different hydrogels were synthesized and characterized, which is an active component of a multi-material system. Finally, we investigated how the hydrogel can be integrated into the 3D-printed constructs to develop artificial functional systems. Graphic abstract

Download Full-text

Investigation of three-dimensional printing materials for printing aorta model replicating Type B aortic dissection

Current Medical Imaging Formerly Current Medical Imaging Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573405617666210218102046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Chia-An Wu ◽

Andrew Squelch ◽

Zhonghua Sun

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Aortic Dissection ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Ct Images ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Type B ◽

Type B Aortic Dissection ◽

Ct Attenuation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

3D Printed

Aim: To determine a printing material that has both elastic property and radiology equivalence close to real aorta for simulation of endovascular stent graft repair of aortic dissection. Background: With the rapid development of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, a patient-specific 3D printed model is able to help surgeons to make better treatment plan for Type B aortic dissection patients. However, the radiological properties of most 3D printing materials have not been well characterized. This study aims to investigate the appropriate materials for printing human aorta with mechanical and radiological properties similar to the real aortic computed tomography (CT) attenuation. Objective: Quantitative assessment of CT attenuation of different materials used in 3D printed models of aortic dissection for developing patient-specific 3D printed aorta models to simulate type B aortic dissection. Method: A 25-mm length of aorta model was segmented from a patient’s image dataset with diagnosis of type B aortic dissection. Four different elastic commercial 3D printing materials, namely Agilus A40 and A50, Visijet CE-NT A30 and A70 were selected and printed with different hardness. Totally four models were printed out and conducted CT scanned twice on a 192-slice CT scanner using the standard aortic CT angiography protocol, with and without contrast inside the lumen.Five reference points with region of interest (ROI) of 1.77 mm2 were selected at the aortic wall and intimal flap and their Hounsfield units (HU) were measured and compared with the CT attenuation of original CT images. The comparison between the patient’s aorta and models was performed through a paired-sample t-test to determine if there is any significant difference. Result: The mean CT attenuation of aortic wall of the original CT images was 80.7 HU. Analysis of images without using contrast medium showed that the material of Agilus A50 produced the mean CT attenuation of 82.6 HU, which is similar to that of original CT images. The CT attenuation measured at images acquired with other three materials was significantly lower than that of original images (p<0.05). After adding contrast medium, Visijet CE-NT A30 had an average CT attenuation of 90.6 HU, which is close to that of the original images with statistically significant difference (p>0.05). In contrast, the CT attenuation measured at images acquired with other three materials (Agilus A40, A50 and Visiject CE-NT A70) was 129 HU, 135 HU and 129.6 HU, respectively, which is significantly higher than that of original CT images (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both Visijet CE-NT and Agilus have tensile strength and elongation close to real patient’s tissue properties producing similar CT attenuation. Visijet CE-NT A30 is considered the appropriate material for printing aorta to simulate contrast-enhanced CT imaging of type B aortic dissection. Due to lack of body phantom in the experiments, further research with simulation of realistic anatomical body environment should be conducted.

Download Full-text

Beam Scanning Capabilities of a 3D-Printed Perforated Dielectric Transmitarray

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics8040379 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 379 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrea Massaccesi ◽

Gianluca Dassano ◽

Paola Pirinoli

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Unit Cell ◽

Multibeam Antenna ◽

Beam Scanning ◽

Additional Advantage ◽

Ka Band ◽

Measured Radiation ◽

3D Printed ◽

Printing Techniques

In this paper, the design of a beam scanning, 3D-printed dielectric Transmitarray (TA) working in Ka-band is discussed. Thanks to the use of an innovative three-layer dielectric unit-cell that exploits tapered sections to enhance the bandwidth, a 50 × 50 elements transmitarray with improved scanning capabilities and wideband behavior has been designed and experimentally validated. The measured radiation performances over a scanning coverage of ±27 ∘ shown a variation of the gain lower than 2.9 dB and a 1-dB bandwidth in any case higher than 23%. The promising results suggest that the proposed TA technology is a valid alternative to realize a passive multibeam antenna, with the additional advantage that it can be easily manufactured using 3D-printing techniques.

Download Full-text

Clinical Applications of Patient-Specific 3D Printed Models in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Status and Future Directions

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom10111577 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1577

Author(s):

Zhonghua Sun

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

3D Printing ◽

Current Status ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Future Research ◽

Junior Doctors ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Training Tool ◽

Complex Anatomy ◽

3D Printed

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been increasingly used in medicine with applications in many different fields ranging from orthopaedics and tumours to cardiovascular disease. Realistic 3D models can be printed with different materials to replicate anatomical structures and pathologies with high accuracy. 3D printed models generated from medical imaging data acquired with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound augment the understanding of complex anatomy and pathology, assist preoperative planning and simulate surgical or interventional procedures to achieve precision medicine for improvement of treatment outcomes, train young or junior doctors to gain their confidence in patient management and provide medical education to medical students or healthcare professionals as an effective training tool. This article provides an overview of patient-specific 3D printed models with a focus on the applications in cardiovascular disease including: 3D printed models in congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection, and aortic valvular disease. Clinical value of the patient-specific 3D printed models in these areas is presented based on the current literature, while limitations and future research in 3D printing including bioprinting of cardiovascular disease are highlighted.

Download Full-text

The Application of 3D-Printing Techniques in the Manufacturing of Cement-Based Construction Products and Experiences Based on the Assessment of Such Products

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings10090144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 144

Author(s):

Guillermo Sotorrío Ortega ◽

Javier Alonso Madrid ◽

Nils O. E. Olsson ◽

José Antonio Tenorio Ríos

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Material Consumption ◽

Construction Products ◽

International Projects ◽

Substantial Progress ◽

3D Printed ◽

Materials Used ◽

Printing Techniques

The construction industry has embraced digitisation and industrialisation in response to the need to increase its productivity, optimise material consumption and improve workmanship. Additive manufacturing (AM), more widely known as 3D printing, has driven substantial progress in these respects in other industries, and a number of national and international projects have helped to introduce the technique to the construction industry. As with other innovative processes not covered by uniform standards, appropriate assessments and testing methodologies to control the quality of the 3D-printed end products, while not obligatory, are advisable. This article shows that regulation is not an obstacle to the use of an innovative product, such as 3D printing, by proposing quality-control tests and an assessment methodology, in the understanding that standardisation ensures the viability of a technology. The information, including the methods and results, is based on the authors’ experiences in the development of three research projects pertaining to 3D printing. This paper also discusses whether the performance of the materials used in 3D printing could be superior to traditional ones.

Download Full-text

A review of 3D printing processes and materials for soft robotics

Rapid Prototyping Journal ◽

10.1108/rpj-11-2019-0302 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 1345-1361 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yee Ling Yap ◽

Swee Leong Sing ◽

Wai Yee Yeong

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Soft Robotics ◽

Soft Robots ◽

Content Type ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

The Future ◽

3D Printed ◽

Multiple Materials ◽

Printing Processes ◽

Printing Techniques

Purpose Soft robotics is currently a rapidly growing new field of robotics whereby the robots are fundamentally soft and elastically deformable. Fabrication of soft robots is currently challenging and highly time- and labor-intensive. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing of soft materials and multi-materials have become the key to enable direct manufacturing of soft robots with sophisticated designs and functions. Hence, this paper aims to review the current 3D printing processes and materials for soft robotics applications, as well as the potentials of 3D printing technologies on 3D printed soft robotics. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the polymer 3D printing techniques and materials that have been used for the development of soft robotics. Current challenges to adopting 3D printing for soft robotics are also discussed. Next, the potentials of 3D printing technologies and the future outlooks of 3D printed soft robotics are presented. Findings This paper reviews five different 3D printing techniques and commonly used materials. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique for the soft robotic application are evaluated. The typical designs and geometries used by each technique are also summarized. There is an increasing trend of printing shape memory polymers, as well as multiple materials simultaneously using direct ink writing and material jetting techniques to produce robotics with varying stiffness values that range from intrinsically soft and highly compliant to rigid polymers. Although the recent work is done is still limited to experimentation and prototyping of 3D printed soft robotics, additive manufacturing could ultimately be used for the end-use and production of soft robotics. Originality/value The paper provides the current trend of how 3D printing techniques and materials are used particularly in the soft robotics application. The potentials of 3D printing technology on the soft robotic applications and the future outlooks of 3D printed soft robotics are also presented.

Download Full-text