3D-printed pediatric temporal bone models for surgical training: a patient-specific and low-cost alternative

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-143
Author(s):  
Juan C Ospina ◽  
Alejandro Fandiño ◽  
Santiago Hernández ◽  
Luis F Uriza ◽  
Diego Aragonéz ◽  
...  

Aim: To determine the usefulness of low-cost 3D-printed pediatric temporal bone models and to define if they could be used as a tool for large-scale surgical training based on their affordability. Materials & methods: Prototypes of a pediatric temporal bone were printed using fused deposition modeling 3D printing technique. The prototypes were drilled. The surgical simulation experience was registered by means of a Likert scale questionnaire. Results: The prototypes adequately simulated a cadaveric temporal bone. The costs associated with production were low compared with other commercial models making it a cost-effective alternative for a temporal bone laboratory. Conclusion: Printed temporal bones created by means of fused deposition modeling are useful for surgical simulation and training in otolaryngology, and it is possible to achieve detailed low-cost models.

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2144
Author(s):  
Maria Sevastaki ◽  
Mirela Petruta Suchea ◽  
George Kenanakis

In the present work, the use of nanocomposite polymeric filaments based on 100% recycled solid polystyrene everyday products, enriched with TiO2 nanoparticles with mass concentrations up to 40% w/w, and the production of 3D photocatalytic structures using a typical fused deposition modeling (FDM)-type 3D printer are reported. We provide evidence that the fabricated 3D structures offer promising photocatalytic properties, indicating that the proposed technique is indeed a novel low-cost alternative route for fabricating large-scale photocatalysts, suitable for practical real-life applications.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 517-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff R Anderson ◽  
Walker L Thompson ◽  
Abdulaziz K Alkattan ◽  
Orlando Diaz ◽  
Richard Klucznik ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a method for creating realistic, patient specific replicas of cerebral aneurysms by means of fused deposition modeling.MethodsThe luminal boundaries of 10 cerebral aneurysms, together with adjacent proximal and distal sections of the parent artery, were segmented based on DSA images, and corresponding virtual three-dimensional (3D) surface reconstructions were created. From these, polylactic acid and MakerBot Flexible Filament replicas of each aneurysm were created by means of fused deposition modeling. The accuracy of the replicas was assessed by quantifying statistical significance in the variations of their inner dimensions relative to 3D DSA images. Feasibility for using these replicas as flow phantoms in combination with phase contrast MRI was demonstrated.Results3D printed aneurysm models were created for all 10 subjects. Good agreement was seen between the models and the source anatomy. Aneurysm diameter measurements of the printed models and source images correlated well (r=0.999; p<0.001), with no statistically significant group difference (p=0.4) or observed bias. The SDs of the measurements were 0.5 mm and 0.2 mm for source images and 3D models, respectively. 3D printed models could be imaged with flow via MRI.ConclusionsThe 3D printed aneurysm models presented were accurate and were able to be produced inhouse. These models can be used for previously cited applications, but their anatomical accuracy also enables their use as MRI flow phantoms for comparison with ongoing studies of computational fluid dynamics. Proof of principle imaging experiments confirm MRI flow phantom utility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 129 (12) ◽  
pp. 1168-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra McMillan ◽  
Armine Kocharyan ◽  
Simone E. Dekker ◽  
Elias George Kikano ◽  
Anisha Garg ◽  
...  

Objective: To identify 3D-printed temporal bone (TB) models that most accurately recreate cortical mastoidectomy for use as a training tool by comparison of different materials and fabrication methods. Background: There are several different printers and materials available to create 3D-printed TB models for surgical planning and trainee education. Current reports using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic generated via fused deposition modeling (FDM) have validated the capacity for 3D-printed models to serve as accurate surgical simulators. Here, a head-to-head comparison of models produced using different materials and fabrication processes was performed to identify superior models for application in skull base surgical training. Methods: High-resolution CT scans of normal TBs were used to create stereolithography files with image conversion for application in 3D-printing. The 3D-printed models were constructed using five different materials and four printers, including ABS printed on a MakerBot 2x printer, photopolymerizable polymer (Photo) using the Objet 350 Connex3 Printer, polycarbonate (PC) using the FDM-Fortus 400 mc printer, and two types of photocrosslinkable acrylic resin, white and blue (FLW and FLB, respectively), using the Formlabs Form 2 stereolithography printer. Printed TBs were drilled to assess the haptic experience and recreation of TB anatomy with comparison to the current paradigm of ABS. Results: Surgical drilling demonstrated that FLW models created by FDM as well as PC and Photo models generated using photopolymerization more closely recreated cortical mastoidectomy compared to ABS models. ABS generated odor and did not represent the anatomy accurately. Blue resin performed poorly in simulation, likely due to its dark color and translucent appearance. Conclusions: PC, Photo, and FLW models best replicated surgical drilling and anatomy as compared to ABS and FLB models. These prototypes are reliable simulators for surgical training.


OTO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 2473974X2092434
Author(s):  
Yong Gi Jung ◽  
Hanaro Park ◽  
Jiwon Seo

Nasal deformities due to trauma are more challenging to correct with rhinoplasty than nasal deformities of nontraumatic causes. Nasal osteotomy is an essential procedure for bone deviations. Preoperative planning is vital in these cases, but it is challenging to comprehend 3-dimensional (3D) structures of the nasal bone on 2-dimensional facial photographs and computed tomography images. We used a 3D-printing technique to fabricate real-size facial bone models with similar physical properties and texture as the actual bone. Furthermore, we established a precise surgical plan using simulated osteotomy on the 3D-printed model. Fused deposition modeling–type desktop 3D printer with polylactic acid filaments was used. A surgical plan was established using simulated osteotomy in 11 cases, and the actual surgery was performed as planned in 10 cases (90.9%). The 3D-printed model and stimulated osteotomy were useful for precise planning of osteotomy to correct nasal deformities due to trauma.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 3879
Author(s):  
Anna C. Tasolamprou ◽  
Despoina Mentzaki ◽  
Zacharias Viskadourakis ◽  
Eleftherios N. Economou ◽  
Maria Kafesaki ◽  
...  

In this work we present a method for fabricating three dimensional, ultralight and flexible millimeter metamaterial units using a commercial household 3D printer. The method is low-cost, fast, eco-friendly and accessible. In particular, we use the Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing technique and we fabricate flexible conductive Spilt Ring Resonators (SRRs) in a free-standing form. We characterized the samples experimentally through measurements of their spectral transmission, using standard rectangular microwave waveguides. Our findings show that the resonators produce well defined resonant electromagnetic features that depend on the structural details and the infiltrating dielectric materials, indicating that the thin, flexible and light 3D printed structures may be used as electromagnetic microwave components and electromagnetic fabrics for coating a variety of devices and infrastructure units, while adapting to different shapes and sizes.


Author(s):  
Michael A. Luzuriaga ◽  
Danielle R. Berry ◽  
John C. Reagan ◽  
Ronald A. Smaldone ◽  
Jeremiah J. Gassensmith

Biodegradable polymer microneedle (MN) arrays are an emerging class of transdermal drug delivery devices that promise a painless and sanitary alternative to syringes; however, prototyping bespoke needle architectures is expensive and requires production of new master templates. Here, we present a new microfabrication technique for MNs using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing using polylactic acid, an FDA approved, renewable, biodegradable, thermoplastic material. We show how this natural degradability can be exploited to overcome a key challenge of FDM 3D printing, in particular the low resolution of these printers. We improved the feature size of the printed parts significantly by developing a post fabrication chemical etching protocol, which allowed us to access tip sizes as small as 1 μm. With 3D modeling software, various MN shapes were designed and printed rapidly with custom needle density, length, and shape. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that our method resulted in needle tip sizes in the range of 1 – 55 µm, which could successfully penetrate and break off into porcine skin. We have also shown that these MNs have comparable mechanical strengths to currently fabricated MNs and we further demonstrated how the swellability of PLA can be exploited to load small molecule drugs and how its degradability in skin can release those small molecules over time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1249-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amoljit Singh Gill ◽  
Parneet Kaur Deol ◽  
Indu Pal Kaur

Background: Solid free forming (SFF) technique also called additive manufacturing process is immensely popular for biofabrication owing to its high accuracy, precision and reproducibility. Method: SFF techniques like stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, extrusion printing, and inkjet printing create three dimension (3D) structures by layer by layer processing of the material. To achieve desirable results, selection of the appropriate technique is an important aspect and it is based on the nature of biomaterial or bioink to be processed. Result & Conclusion: Alginate is a commonly employed bioink in biofabrication process, attributable to its nontoxic, biodegradable and biocompatible nature; low cost; and tendency to form hydrogel under mild conditions. Furthermore, control on its rheological properties like viscosity and shear thinning, makes this natural anionic polymer an appropriate candidate for many of the SFF techniques. It is endeavoured in the present review to highlight the status of alginate as bioink in various SFF techniques.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Bernhard Dorweiler ◽  
Pia Elisabeth Baqué ◽  
Rayan Chaban ◽  
Ahmed Ghazy ◽  
Oroa Salem

As comparative data on the precision of 3D-printed anatomical models are sparse, the aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3D-printed models of vascular anatomy generated by two commonly used printing technologies. Thirty-five 3D models of large (aortic, wall thickness of 2 mm, n = 30) and small (coronary, wall thickness of 1.25 mm, n = 5) vessels printed with fused deposition modeling (FDM) (rigid, n = 20) and PolyJet (flexible, n = 15) technology were subjected to high-resolution CT scans. From the resulting DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) dataset, an STL file was generated and wall thickness as well as surface congruency were compared with the original STL file using dedicated 3D engineering software. The mean wall thickness for the large-scale aortic models was 2.11 µm (+5%), and 1.26 µm (+0.8%) for the coronary models, resulting in an overall mean wall thickness of +5% for all 35 3D models when compared to the original STL file. The mean surface deviation was found to be +120 µm for all models, with +100 µm for the aortic and +180 µm for the coronary 3D models, respectively. Both printing technologies were found to conform with the currently set standards of accuracy (<1 mm), demonstrating that accurate 3D models of large and small vessel anatomy can be generated by both FDM and PolyJet printing technology using rigid and flexible polymers.


AIP Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 025223
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Calascione ◽  
Nathan A. Fischer ◽  
Thomas J. Lee ◽  
Hannah G. Thatcher ◽  
Brittany B. Nelson-Cheeseman

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