scholarly journals Main Clinical Use of Additive Manufacturing (Three-Dimensional Printing) in Finland Restricted to the Head and Neck Area in 2016–2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.B.V. Pettersson ◽  
M. Salmi ◽  
P. Vallittu ◽  
W. Serlo ◽  
J. Tuomi ◽  
...  

Background and Aims: Additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing is a novel production methodology for producing patient-specific models, medical aids, tools, and implants. However, the clinical impact of this technology is unknown. In this study, we sought to characterize the clinical adoption of medical additive manufacturing in Finland in 2016–2017. We focused on non-dental usage at university hospitals. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire containing five questions was sent by email to all operative, radiologic, and oncologic departments of all university hospitals in Finland. Respondents who reported extensive use of medical additive manufacturing were contacted with additional, personalized questions. Results: Of the 115 questionnaires sent, 58 received answers. Of the responders, 41% identified as non-users, including all general/gastrointestinal (GI) and vascular surgeons, urologists, and gynecologists; 23% identified as experimenters or previous users; and 36% identified as heavy users. Usage was concentrated around the head area by various specialties (neurosurgical, craniomaxillofacial, ear, nose and throat diseases (ENT), plastic surgery). Applications included repair of cranial vault defects and malformations, surgical oncology, trauma, and cleft palate reconstruction. Some routine usage was also reported in orthopedics. In addition to these patient-specific uses, we identified several off-the-shelf medical components that were produced by additive manufacturing, while some important patient-specific components were produced by traditional methodologies such as milling. Conclusion: During 2016–2017, medical additive manufacturing in Finland was routinely used at university hospitals for several applications in the head area. Outside of this area, usage was much less common. Future research should include all patient-specific products created by a computer-aided design/manufacture workflow from imaging data, instead of concentrating on the production methodology.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204173141882479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee-Gyeong Yi ◽  
Yeong-Jin Choi ◽  
Jin Woo Jung ◽  
Jinah Jang ◽  
Tae-Ha Song ◽  
...  

Autologous cartilages or synthetic nasal implants have been utilized in augmentative rhinoplasty to reconstruct the nasal shape for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Autologous cartilage is considered to be an ideal graft, but has drawbacks, such as limited cartilage source, requirements of additional surgery for obtaining autologous cartilage, and donor site morbidity. In contrast, synthetic nasal implants are abundantly available but have low biocompatibility than the autologous cartilages. Moreover, the currently used nasal cartilage grafts involve additional reshaping processes, by meticulous manual carving during surgery to fit the diverse nose shape of each patient. The final shapes of the manually tailored implants are highly dependent on the surgeons’ proficiency and often result in patient dissatisfaction and even undesired separation of the implant. This study describes a new process of rhinoplasty, which integrates three-dimensional printing and tissue engineering approaches. We established a serial procedure based on computer-aided design to generate a three-dimensional model of customized nasal implant, and the model was fabricated through three-dimensional printing. An engineered nasal cartilage implant was generated by injecting cartilage-derived hydrogel containing human adipose-derived stem cells into the implant containing the octahedral interior architecture. We observed remarkable expression levels of chondrogenic markers from the human adipose-derived stem cells grown in the engineered nasal cartilage with the cartilage-derived hydrogel. In addition, the engineered nasal cartilage, which was implanted into mouse subcutaneous region, exhibited maintenance of the exquisite shape and structure, and striking formation of the cartilaginous tissues for 12 weeks. We expect that the developed process, which combines computer-aided design, three-dimensional printing, and tissue-derived hydrogel, would be beneficial in generating implants of other types of tissue.


2020 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000663
Author(s):  
Patrick Gallagher ◽  
Ryan Smith ◽  
Gillian Sheppard

BackgroundThere is a significant learning curve when teaching ultrasonography to medical trainees; task trainers can help learners to bridge this gap and develop their skills. Three-dimensional printing technology has the potential to be a great tool in the development of such simulators. ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to identify what 3D-printed models have been used in ultrasound education to date, how they were created and the pros and limitations involved.DesignResearchers searched three online databases to identify 3D-printed ultrasound models used in medical education.ResultsTwelve suitable publications were identified for inclusion in this review. The models from included articles simulated largely low frequency and/or high stakes events, with many models simulating needle guidance procedures. Most models were created by using patient imaging data and a computer-aided design software to print structures directly or print casting molds. The benefits of 3D-printed educational trainers are their low cost, reproducibility, patient specificity and accuracy. The current limitations of this technology are upfront investments and a lack of optimisation of materials.ConclusionsThe use of 3D-printed ultrasound task trainers is in its infancy, and more research is needed to determine whether or not this technology will benefit medical learners in the future.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Michael D. Seckeler ◽  
Brian A. Boe ◽  
Brent J. Barber ◽  
Darren P. Berman ◽  
Aimee K. Armstrong

Abstract Background: Three-dimensional printing is increasingly utilised for congenital heart defect procedural planning. CT or MR datasets are typically used for printing, but similar datasets can be obtained from three-dimensional rotational angiography. We sought to assess the feasibility and accuracy of printing three-dimensional models of CHD from rotational angiography datasets. Methods: Retrospective review of CHD catheterisations using rotational angiography was performed, and patient and procedural details were collected. Imaging data from rotational angiography were segmented, cleaned, and printed with polylactic acid on a Dremel® 3D Idea Builder (Dremel, Mount Prospect, IL, USA). Printing time and materials’ costs were captured. CT scans of printed models were compared objectively to the original virtual models. Two independent, non-interventional paediatric cardiologists provided subjective ratings of the quality and accuracy of the printed models. Results: Rotational angiography data from 15 catheterisations on vascular structures were printed. Median print time was 3.83 hours, and material costs were $2.84. The CT scans of the printed models highly matched with the original digital models (root mean square for Hausdorff distance 0.013 ± 0.003 mesh units). Independent reviewers correctly described 80 and 87% of the models (p = 0.334) and reported high quality and accuracy (5 versus 5, p = NS; κ = 0.615). Conclusion: Imaging data from rotational angiography can be converted into accurate three-dimensional-printed models of CHD. The cost of printing the models was negligible, but the print time was prohibitive for real-time use. As the speed of three-dimensional printing technology increases, novel future applications may allow for printing patient-specific devices based on rotational angiography datasets.


Author(s):  
Vipra Guneta ◽  
Jun Kit Wang ◽  
Saeed Maleksaeedi ◽  
Ze Ming He ◽  
Marcus Thien Chong Wong ◽  
...  

One of the main goals of bone tissue engineering is the development of scaffolds that mimic both functional and structural properties of native bone itself. This study describes the preliminary work carried out to assess the viability of using three dimensional printing (3DP) technology for the fabrication of porous titanium scaffolds with lowered modulus and improved biocompatibility. 3DP enables the manufacturing of three dimensional (3D) objects with a defined structure directly from a Computer Aided Design (CAD). The overall porosity of the 3D structures is contributed by the presence of both pores-by-process (PBP) and pores-by-design (PBD). This study mainly focuses on the PBP, which are formed during the sintering step as the result of the removal of the binding agent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Sintering temperatures of 1250oC, 1350oC and 1370oC were used during the fabrication process. Our results showed that by varying the binder percentage and the sintering temperature, pores with diameters in the range of approximately 17-24 μm could be reproducibly achieved. Other physical properties such as surface roughness, porosity and average pore size were also measured for all sample groups. Results from subsequent cell culture studies using adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) showed improved attachment, viability and proliferation for the 3DP titanium samples as compared to the two-dimensional (2D) dense titanium samples. Hence, based on our current preliminary studies, 3DP technology can potentially be used to fabricate customized, patient-specific metallic bone implants with lowered modulus. This can effectively help in prevention of stress-shielding, and enhancement of implant fixationin vivo. It is envisioned that an optimized combination of binder percentage and sintering temperature can result in the fabrication of scaffolds with the desired porosity and mechanical properties to fit the intended clinical application.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0310057X2097665
Author(s):  
Natasha Abeysekera ◽  
Kirsty A Whitmore ◽  
Ashvini Abeysekera ◽  
George Pang ◽  
Kevin B Laupland

Although a wide range of medical applications for three-dimensional printing technology have been recognised, little has been described about its utility in critical care medicine. The aim of this review was to identify three-dimensional printing applications related to critical care practice. A scoping review of the literature was conducted via a systematic search of three databases. A priori specified themes included airway management, procedural support, and simulation and medical education. The search identified 1544 articles, of which 65 were included. Ranging across many applications, most were published since 2016 in non – critical care discipline-specific journals. Most studies related to the application of three-dimensional printed models of simulation and reported good fidelity; however, several studies reported that the models poorly represented human tissue characteristics. Randomised controlled trials found some models were equivalent to commercial airway-related skills trainers. Several studies relating to the use of three-dimensional printing model simulations for spinal and neuraxial procedures reported a high degree of realism, including ultrasonography applications three-dimensional printing technologies. This scoping review identified several novel applications for three-dimensional printing in critical care medicine. Three-dimensional printing technologies have been under-utilised in critical care and provide opportunities for future research.


Author(s):  
Antonio Sartal ◽  
Diego Carou ◽  
Rubén Dorado-Vicente ◽  
Lorenzo Mandayo

Our research explores how additive manufacturing can support the food industry in facing its current global challenges. Although information technologies are usually highlighted as the main driver of the Industry 4.0 concept, which was first introduced during the Hannover Fair event in 2011, we posit that additive manufacturing can be the true generator of a sustainable competitive advantage in this sector. This evidence stems from a case study in a plant of one of the world’s largest fishing multinational companies. Our results show how, through robotic claw optimization using three-dimensional printing, we not only reduce the manufacturing costs but also increase the flexibility of the line and reduce time to market. On the one hand, our findings should encourage managers to test this technology at their facilities; on the other hand, policymakers should promote the adoption of additive manufacturing, highlighting the potential of this technology within the Industry 4.0 context.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 784-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvash Chandra Paul ◽  
Gideon P.A.G. van Zijl ◽  
Ming Jen Tan ◽  
Ian Gibson

Purpose Three-dimensional printing of concrete (3DPC) has a potential for the rapid industrialization of the housing sector, with benefits of reduced construction time due to no formwork requirement, ease of construction of complex geometries, potential high construction quality and reduced waste. Required materials adaption for 3DPC is within reach, as concrete materials technology has reached the point where performance-based specification is possible by specialists. This paper aims to present an overview of the current status of 3DPC for construction, including existing printing methods and material properties required for robustness of 3DPC structures or structural elements. Design/methodology/approach This paper has presented an overview of three categories of 3DPC systems, namely, gantry, robotic and crane systems. Material compositions as well as fresh and hardened properties of mixes currently used for 3DPC have been elaborated. Findings This paper presents an overview of the state of the art of 3DPC systems and materials. Research needs, including reinforcement in the form of bars or fibres in the 3D printable cement-based materials, are also addressed. Originality/value The critical analysis of the 3D concrete printing system and materials described in this review paper is original.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun ◽  
Lau ◽  
Wong ◽  
Yeong

Patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) printed models have been increasingly used in cardiology and cardiac surgery, in particular, showing great value in the domain of congenital heart disease (CHD). CHD is characterized by complex cardiac anomalies with disease variations between individuals; thus, it is difficult to obtain comprehensive spatial conceptualization of the cardiac structures based on the current imaging visualizations. 3D printed models derived from patient’s cardiac imaging data overcome this limitation by creating personalized 3D heart models, which not only improve spatial visualization, but also assist preoperative planning and simulation of cardiac procedures, serve as a useful tool in medical education and training, and improve doctor–patient communication. This review article provides an overall view of the clinical applications and usefulness of 3D printed models in CHD. Current limitations and future research directions of 3D printed heart models are highlighted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 1198-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-I Yen ◽  
Jonathan A. Zelken ◽  
Chun-Shin Chang ◽  
Lun-Jou Lo ◽  
Jui-Yung Yang ◽  
...  

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