Abstract
Three‐dimensional (3D) printing has revolutionized medical training and patient care. Clinically it is used for patient‐specific anatomical modeling with respect to surgical procedures. 3D printing is heavily implemented for simulation to provide a useful tool for anatomical knowledge and surgical techniques. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a commonly utilized method of 3D printing anatomical models due to its cost-effectiveness. A potential disadvantage of FDM 3D printing complex anatomical shapes is the limitations of the modeling system in providing accurate representations of multifaceted ultrastructure, such as the facets of the lumbar spine. In order to utilize FDM 3D printing methods in an efficient manner, the pre-printing G-code assembly must be oriented according to the anatomical nature of the print. This article describes the approach that our institution's 3D printing laboratory has used to manipulate models’ printing angles in regard to the print bed and nozzle, according to anatomical properties, thus creating quality and cost-effective anatomical spine models for education and procedural simulation.
Highlights
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a growing tool for creating patient-specific and anatomical models for simulation and education, especially within the field of neurosurgery [1]
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing has been investigated for creating lumbar vertebral models for education and procedural simulation [3,4]
Lumbar spine pathology is the most commonly encountered diagnosis within the field of spine surgery, and the majority of existing simulations and spine models are tailored to this region of the spine [1]
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a growing tool for creating patient-specific and anatomical models for simulation and education, especially within the field of neurosurgery [1]. Lumbar spine pathology is the most commonly encountered diagnosis within the field of spine surgery, and the majority of existing simulations and spine models are tailored to this region of the spine [1] During creation of these models for educational purposes, it is paramount to ensure that maximum fidelity is achieved, especially in the context of spatial relationships between adjacent anatomical structures, such as the zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar spine which are oriented in the sagittal plane, and transverse processes which are oriented in the axial plane [5]. The individual STL files were re-sliced and rotated 90 degrees on the simulated build plates within the 3D software, leaving less surface area in the horizontal plane (see Figure 2) This was theorized to improve the quality of the print due to the decreased need for printer head movement in the X and Y planes. (A, B) Rotating the models 90 degrees within the virtual environment before printing allowed the majority of model volume to be oriented in the Z plane, limiting the need for excessive motion of the printer head in the X and Y planes. (C, D) The previous print errors were corrected using this technique and the finished models demonstrated no integral errors in representative anatomy (arrows)
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